A total of 33 lambs, predominantly Mule wethers and all donated by generous farmers from across the region, were auctioned off to a full ringside of buyers and supporters, with the show champion from the Walker family, based at Brennand Farm, Dunsop Bridge, doing best of all when netting a grand total of £900.

The home-bred Mule wether, by the family’s renowned Midlock Blue Faced Leicester tup, first made £380 when knocked down to John Turner, of Draughton. He then re-offered it for sale, for show sponsor Chris Pearson, of Pearson Farm Supplies, West Marton, to snap it up for a second time at £320.

He, too, handed it back to be resold, this time to Keith Coverall, who runs an agricultural clothing and footwear shop on the CCM site, who also gave it back. In fact, the champion re-sold several times, before auctioneer Sam Bradley knocked it down for a further £100 to fellow auctioneer Ted Ogden, buying on behalf of Craven Cattle Marts, which again waived their commission on the charity sale.

The victorious sheep, recipient of the Pearson Farm Supplies Shield, will be over-wintered, before returning to the Skipton sale ring next Spring, when it will again be auctioned off in aid of Manorlands, for whom the annual charity highlight has now netted over £36,000 in total, with this year’s kitty also boosted by others who had donated auction prizes.

Back with the show, NEMSA Skipton branch chairman Neil Heseltine, of Malham, clinched the runners-up slot with a Mule wether by a home-bred ram lamb later sold as tried shearling. Standing third was Nick Houseman, of Lindley, Otley, with Ian Mellin, of Airton, fourth.

Show judges were Margaret Watkinson, of Hutton Sessay, and John Greenhalgh, of Bashall Eaves.

Co-organiser Joe Throup, of Berwick Intake Farm, Chelker, said: “Once again, this was a superb result and we wholeheartedly thank all who donated lambs and other items for sale, and the many others who dug deep at the ringside for an extremely worthy local cause.”

Karen Jones, Hospice Fundraiser for Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice said: "It is wonderful to receive this donation from Addingham & District Sheep Breeders Association, and we're so grateful to everyone for thinking of us once again. They all work tirelessly throughout the year and to then donate lambs for a charity auction is such a kind gesture.

“We are overwhelmed by the amount it raised, and this money will help us to continue providing our incredible hospice care across the local community, including Craven, for which we cannot thank the team enough."

The charity fund-raiser formed part of the fortnightly sale of store lambs, the final one this year. It attracted a total entry of 1,675 head, which met with a sharp trade and sold to an overall average a couple of pence shy of £52. Stronger medium keep lambs were in good demand, while small long keep lambs normally seen at this time of the year traded generally in the late £40’s to early £50s.