Record-breaking prices were the order of the day at the Devon Closewool Sheep Breeders’ Society annual show and sale held on Exmoor recently. History was made at Blackmoor Gate on Monday, September 11 when all three of Margaret Elliott’s shearling ewes smashed the previous female record.
Mrs Elliott, from Brompton Regis near Dulverton, topped the ewes at a whopping 600gns selling to Sally Vergette of Hatherleigh whose husband, Marcus, had earlier presented the society with a hand-cast bronze bell - to be given to the animal with the best fleece of wool in the show.
Her other two shearling ewes both found a home back on Exmoor with Mrs C Williamson-Cary of Sandyway, selling for 520gns and 420gns.
Further females of note came from Sarah Thorne of Ilminster, who sold all four of her shearling ewes above 300gns, with the best going to Martin Tucker of Parracombe for 450gns.
Claiming the male championship, judged by Ben Blackmore, was a shearling ram from Jean Kingdon of Challacombe which sold for a very healthy 1,100gns to Maurice Scott of Watchet; whilst the second and third-placed shearling rams once again came from Mrs Elliott and sold to G Dart & Sons of Molland for 700gns and the Rennie family of Hatherleigh for 820gns.
The sixth-placed shearling ram, consigned by R J & A D Nicholls of West Anstey sold to John Balman for 750gns, and the fifth-placed ram from Geoffrey Ley of Bishops Nympton sold to Phil Dallyn of Ipplepen for 520gns.
New Devon Closewool breeder Kate Sharp, from Ide, gave 550gns for the highest-priced old ram from Richard and Pat Burge of Bratton Fleming, and the first-placed ewe lamb from Spud and Amanda Taylor of Combe Martin sold to Paul Gillbard of Black Dog, Crediton for 140gns.
Speaking afterwards, Kim Dart, secretary of the Devon Closewool Sheep Breeders’ Society, said: “It was pleasing to see several new breeders setting up flocks with buyers coming from as far a field as Kent, Herefordshire and Dorset. Guest auctioneer Andy Lane did a magnificent job throughout the day, giving the newer bidders the time and confidence to place their bids and pushing some of the more experienced ones along when they needed it! A day to remember by all those involved with the Devon Closewool Sheep Breeders’ Society!”
