Ash Dub sells Swaledales to £520 at Middleton-in-Teesdale

A reduced entry, due to a reduction of hill sheep within the area, saw a record trade, with averages up £42 on the year, levelling at £181.94 per head.

The judge, Nigel Mitchinson, awarded the champions rosette to JE and AJ Mitchell, Parrickhouse, which later sold to £280. Top price of the day was a pen from AT and A Bainbridge, Ash Dub, that sold to £520 to Messrs Walker, Skipton, these being the last draft ewes to be sold from the family due to retirement. F and MP Allison, West Briscoe, sold their third prize pen to £480 to C Dent, Naby View.

AT and A Bainbridge's top pen of Swaledale ewes, that sold for £520(Image: web)

Gimmers saw an average of £219.50, with REG Peirson, Friar House selling to £260, with the first prize pen from Martin Wilson, Arngill House selling to £250.

Leading prices

Swaledale ewes - £520 Ash Dub; £480, £320, £235, £200 x2 West Briscoe; £280,Parrick House £270, £210 x2; £200 Rigg; £250 High Corn; £240 x2, £210 Hunt House; £230 Stoney Hill; £225, £220, £205 West Stoney Keld; £220, £210 High Birk Hatt; £220 Lanehead; £210, £200 Grains O Beck; £210 Swarthymere; £205, £200 x2 Toft House; £200 Ashgill.

Swaledale gimmers – £260 £230 Friar House; £250 £230 Grains O Beck; £250, £220 Arngill House; £235 High Corn Park; £225 West Stoney Keld; £205,Mossville; £200 Poppin Cottage; £200 Gaylesfield; £200 Shield Hurst; £195,Lanehead.