North West Auctions held its popular Annual Ambleside Fair show and sale of gimmer lambs on Friday 10th September which saw buyers in attendance from throughout the United Kingdom keen to secure replacement stock from this renowned sale. A feature of the Ambleside Fair is the pre-sale show which this year was judged by Mr P Mulcaster, Lowick and Mr M Bowman, Newbiggin on Lune who had a wonderful entry of 26 pens of 10 put before them over the 4 show classes. The show was kindly sponsored by 1st Base and Wadland Finance.

The overall Championship rosette was awarded to the first prize pen of North Country Mule gimmer lambs shown by R Lawrence, Grange over Sands who was also awarded the Reserve Champion rosette.

A fast and competitive trade was seen for all classes and types of gimmer lambs, with the strong prices seen throughout this year at the sheep sales, continuing today.

The sale commenced with North Country Mule gimmer lambs which topped at £228 for the show champions from R Lawrence, Grange over sands who sold others at £198. Other pens of strong lambs were regularly at £145 – £165 with keen interest in running lambs generally selling at £110 – £120. All North Country Mule lambs today averaged £104.

Masham gimmer lambs saw a top price of £125 achieved by JA Bennett, Longsleddale who also sold others at £98 followed by JE Read, Hutton Roof achieving £95. All Masham lambs averaged £85.

Rough Fell Mule gimmer lambs continue to attract new customers with a top price of £150 achieved by TLB & J Knowles, High Borrowbridge with others at £135 and £133 from I & J Mallinson, Selside and £130 from FB Dunning & Son, Orton. All Rough Fell Gimmer lambs averaged 110.

The ever increasing popularity of Cheviot Mules was apparent today with a top price of £175 achieved by AR & BJ Thompson, Selside, closely followed by L:ow Moor Howe Farm, Winster selling at £172 and £160. With running type Cheviot Mules regularly £118 to £128. With all sold averaging £123.

The sale concluded with Continental gimmer lambs which saw a pen of ¾ bred Texels from B & M Slater, Chipping selling at £145. Other ¾ bred Texel x gimmer lambs from JA & KJ Allen, Ings sold at £122 with P & TL Edmondson Ltd, Kirkby in Furness and D & A Nicholson, Ulverston selling first cross Texel gimmer lambs out of North Country Mules at £120.

An overall market average of £106 was achieved for all gimmer lambs today.

Vendors must be complimented by the quality of stock presented at todays sale, which once again were a pleasure to sell.