CCM Auctions conducted the Annual Sale of Swaledale Rams at Skipton on Monday evening. A solid trade was witnessed throughout the sale with prices peaking at 2000gns for the champion presented by Robert Crisp of Calton. A Shearling sired by an Arngill House out of a Tennant Gill ewe was purchased by Harold Smith, Dunford Bridge. The same vendor/purchaser combination was also responsible for the reserve champion & 1^st prize aged ram, bred the same way as the champion sold for 1800gns.

James Huck from Austwick presented a 6 shear ram bred by Chris Akrigg at Cray and this found a new home with Jeff Pickles, Ribblehead at 1200gns. Roy Nelson, Bordley presented his usual pen of strong tups and his pen leader by an Alan Bennett, Hollins ram sold at 1200gns to WB Woodsworth, Storiths. Kevin Huck also of Bordley had the 2^nd prize shearling ram and this Nattress, Low Crossgill sired ram was knocked down to R&A White, Bamford at 900gns.

Gary Lodge of Malham sold a shearling ram sired by a John Bland ram out of a Skidmore ewe for 850gns to Alan Greenwood, Trawden, whilst Rachel Booth and father in law David from Feizor sold a shearling by the £26,000 Paul Hallam out of Helbeck ewe for 800gns to H Horsefield & Son, Foulridge.

Show Results;

Judges – Mr Lee White from Bamford

Best Swaledale Aged Ram

1^st – ASE Crisp & Son Lot 70 sold for 1800gns to H Smith

2^nd – CM Ryder Lot 83 sold for 400gns to JK Wilson

3^rd – N Heseltine Lot 24 sold for 380gns to MJ&JA Alpe

Best Swaledale Shearling Ram

1^st – ASE Crisp & Son Lot 68 sold for 2000gns to H Smith

2^nd – K Huck Lot 75 sold for 900gns to R&A White

3^rd – JP Cowperthwaite Lot 30 sold for 5550gns to W Brass & Son

Best Conformation Ram

1^st – C Nelson & Son Lot 95 sold for 1200gns to WB Woodsworth

CHAMPION – ASE Crisp & Son Lot 68

RESERVE CHAMPION – ASE Crisp & Son Lot 70

Averages & Principle Prices;

Aged – Av £293.22

1800gns 300gns ASE Crisp; 1200gns K&GJ Huck; £800gns 500gns 480gns 450gns C Nelson & Son; £420gns A&R Birbeck; 400gns CM Ryder; 380gns N Heseltine; 380gns EW&JR Parkinson; 350gns TW Cowperthwaite;

300gns R&KA Burley;

Shearlings – Av £385.95

2000gns ASE Crisp & Son; 1200gns C Nelson & Son; 900gns 550gns 500gns G Huck & Son; 850gns 400gns

G Lodge; 800gns 500gnsWA&A Booth; 680 JE Cowperthwaite; £580 S&D Robinson; 550gns JP Cowperthwaite; 480gns Saddle End Farms;