£2K-plus raised at CCM Skipton in memory of Hannah Brown
A magnificent total of £2,240 was realised when generously donated sheep were sold at Skipton Auction Mart in memory of young farmer Hannah Brown, whose untimely death in March aged just 26 left the agricultural world in deep shock.
For one so young, Hannah had become a well-known and greatly respected figure at Skipton, initially when growing up with her parents, mart regulars and multiple prime lamb champions Martin and Val Brown, when they farmed in Newton-le-Willows, then later in her own right as both a breeder and show winner.
Hannah moved to Dufton in Cumbria in 2019 to live with farming fiancé Ben Richardson and last August the couple had a daughter, Millie, now nine-months-old.
The lambs were sold during Skipton Auction Mart’s annual May breeding sheep highlight last week, (Tues, May 4) with proceeds going to Eden Valley Young Farmers Club, based in Appleby-in-Westmorland, where it is hoped baby Millie will eventually one day follow in mum’s illustrious footsteps by becoming a member.
First into the sale ring was a Blue Texel gimmer hogg from Hywel Williams, of Llanddeusant in Carmarthenshire, a regular exhibitor and vendor at the annual fixture. It realised £1,360 after being sold, re-offered then resold no less than five times in total.
It first fell for £320 to Will Wildman, of Kirkby Malham, then successively to Robert Atkinson, of Scorton, and Burton Leonard’s Andrew Philips, who each bid £300, followed by Martin and Val Brown, who now farm in Leyburn, at £220, before going home to Gargrave with Karen and David Shuttleworth, again for £220, who have rather aptly given it the name, Millie
Second up was a Swaledale ewe with single lamb donated by Richard Lancaster, of Clitheroe, and the outfit sold three times for £880 in total, first for when £300 purchased by Harry Wood, of Bowland Foods, near Preston, then by CCM Skipton for £280, before heading home to Ravenstonedale in Cumbria with father and son, Ivan and Paul Brown, again for £300.
Ben, Millie and the Browns were present at the sale, joined by Eden Valley YFC president Catherine Chappelhow, chairmanTom Barker, member Warren Porter and Tom’s father, Alan Barker, Cumbria Young Farmers Southern District president.
All expressed their sincere and heartfelt thanks for the overwhelming generosity of everyone concerned, notably Messrs Williams and Lancaster for so kindly donating the sheep and the multiple successful bidders.