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Since writing my report last year the first event that took place in our branch was the show and sale of Mule wethers. We held it at 3 Auction Marts - Bentham, Leyburn and Hawes. Taking the rosette for champion pen were:- Bentham - Allen and Watson; Leyburn - R Hunter and Hawes - J Capstick. Thanks to all who supported this event. Another summer came round and it saw us travel down to the Royal Show. Many thanks to West Cumbria branch for supplying the sheep (which were 1st class) and to everyone who took the time and effort to go and man the stand. Interest was a little disappointing on the day. John and I were there and perhaps now is a good time to assess what is the best way to market our sheep and which will most benefit all our members. Sale time came round and our first NEMSA rosette on offer was at the shearling sale at Leyburn on 1-09-06. 1st prize going to Martin and Val Brown (not forgetting the boss - Hannah! who took 2nd and 3rd, all selling to Sam and Stuart Hudson, Derbyshire. Cecil and Steven Hutchinson taking 4th. Overall average £91.50. Gimmer lambs began at Leyburn on September 7th 2006. 3,720 lambs forward - Average £58.50. Taking the prizes were:- 1st DA & MA Brown & Son, 2nd WC Porter & Son, 3rd WM Iveson, 4th Bainbridge Bros. Onto Hawes - Monday, September 11th 2006. 14,723 lambs forward - Average £55.94. Honours awarded as follows:- 1st WM Heron, 2nd WA & A Booth, 3rd E Fairburn & Son, 4th WC Porter & Son, 5th RA Busby & Son. Tuesday, September 12th 2006. 12,001 lambs forward - Average £57.20. Prize takers on this day :- 1st Messrs Lord, 2nd W & D Lawson & Son, 3rd DA & MA Brown & Son, 4th KA Fawcett & Sons, 5th G Rawsthorn. Overall average 26.724 lambs - Average £56.12. Thanks go to all our Judges and sponsors at all our sales. Lambs this year have been to a very high standard which seems to improve every year with Hawes especially attracting many of the top lambs. A funny trade this year, perhaps less than we expected or hoped for, but let us keep striving to produce a quality product that people will want to buy. Many thanks go to our Auction Marts and their staff who without them our sales couldn't go on. Thanks also to all the committee, especially secretary Val and vice-chairman John for your help and support over the last 12 months. Finally, this year we say goodbye to Mr John Sunter who will be retiring from our committee having served many years. Also a past chairman of the Association, John has worked tirelessly for NEMSA and in particular Hawes branch. His presence and wisdom around the committee table will be very much missed, so on behalf of all the Hawes branch members both past and present 'THANK YOU'. DAVID LAWSON |
