Lancaster Auction held its annual Hill Fair show and sale of breeding sheep and store lambs. The sale attracted a good ringside with a good buzz throughout the day. Thanks go to our pre-sale judge Chris Pye of Abbeystead for his time and expertise.

Mule Gimmer shearlings would be the stickiest trade of the day with many buyers in the area already fit up. The trade topped at £110 from M & YS Barker, Halton with Dales Mules selling to £105 from MD Shorrock, Goosnargh and others selling to £100.

Mule Gimmer lambs met plenty of demand selling to a strong market average of £74.36. Topping the market was the first prized pen of gimmer lambs from A & L Huddleston, Wray selling to £102 with others from the same home selling to £92. The consignment from R Capstick and Son, Ingleton sold to a top of £95. The second prize rosette was awarded to RH & C Ayrton, Abbeystead selling to £78 with the third prize rosette awarded to T Ayrton and Son, Over Wyresdale selling to £78. Zwartble gimmer lambs from J Lowcock and Son, Nateby sold to £92.

There was a strong trade for the terminal sire rams with vendors leaving pleased. Topping the market was T & CM Kelsall and Sons, Chipping selling Texels to £480 and £400 twice. The consignment of Texel shearlings from PF Lee, Over Wyresdale sold to £450. Texel tup lambs sold to £300 and £250 from M Berry, Stalmine.

Store lambs met plenty of trade with the majority of lambs forward being hill bred. Topping the market was Continental lambs from DJ & SB Clark, Clitheroe selling to £53.50 and £51, with other Continental lambs selling to £51 from D & D Huddleston, Wray. The consignment of lambs from KM & KJ Curwen, Abbeystead saw Cheviots to £50 and £44.50 with Swaledales from the same home selling to £36.50 and £35.50.