Rare Breed Sale at Stoneleigh

[monica a waltho]

There is an inaugural Rare & Native breed sale at Stoneleigh this Saturday with show on Friday
There are 17 Dexters inc 2 bulls Sale of cattle 9.30am

details at rugbyfarmersmart.com

[ann]

I assume that the rare breeds are trying to start their own show and sale again at Stoneleigh, it seems to have been kept very quiet, I always enjoyed the sales down there, as it use to be very well attended by all the rare breeds.

[Steve]

I agree Ann it does seem to have been badly publicised, as this is the first we've heard about it! We always went to the annual Rare Breeds at Stonleigh & thoroughly enjoyed it. The atmospere was always great & it was a chance to meet up with old friends, from so many breeds, each year. We brought our second dexter heifer - Needleshall Madonna - at this sale, & took her home in a lamb trailer !! She was so quiet & friendly thanks to Lisa Bell's (nee Bottura as she was then - so that's a while ago) training!! Really hope it get's going properly again 'cos we'd go.
Steve

[Mark Bowles]

Don't get carried away, this is a rare breed sale that Rugby Market have put on, for those that didn't know there is a new cattle/sheep market set up on site that has been running for a couple of years. It is nothing to do with the old RASE/RBST sale we used to have at Soneleigh, sorry to disappoint. I am going on friday with a friend to look at the sheep and dexters, i will report back.

[Steve]

Oh Mark I am disappointed, I thought I was going to get an annual outing again . It will be interesting to read your report.
Steve

[Mark Bowles]

Been to the Rugby Farmers Market today, today was the show and the sale takes place tomorrow (Sat).
The day was lovelly, the setting was really nice, grass show rings with the buildings on 3 sides. Pigs, sheep and cattle showing at the same time in the 4 rings (which incidentally had mature trees in them). The pens were well spaced out and good quality, both sheep and cattle, all under cover. Lots of parking for cattle trailers. Catering was just ok, Jersey building being used for food and drink, also a temporary bar was set up under cover in one of the buildings.
For those that know stoneleigh, the market has been set up in some of the sheep buildings on the same avenue as the RBST building. As a first event like this undertaken by the market i think the organisation could be better (stewarding) ,the numbers were not massive (6 dexters) but what a nice sight to see in the wonderfull sunshine.
Congratulations to Philippa Laing for winning the heifer class with her dexter beating beef shorthorn and shetland entries. Traditional Hereford bull was overall champion.
The rest of the sale stock comes in tomorrow, a number of dexters left to arrive yet.

[monica a waltho]

Has any one got sale prices ?

[Mark Bowles]

I don't have the actual info but it would be fair to say that accross all breeds, including sheep, that buyers were few and far between. A lot of people took their stock home i am led to believe. Questions are being asked about the shortage of publicity for the whole event.