More than 200 people flocked to the North Country Cheviot Sheep Society’s open day at Aimshaugh Farm, Alston in Cumbria.
The farm is run by Oli and Sophie Harrison, with daughters Gracie and Millie and Oli’s parents, Steven and Kate, and is home to 700 ewes and lambs, from pure North Country Cheviots through to NCC cross Texel cross Bluefaced Leicesters showing the commercial viability of the breed.
Various events and demonstrations took place on the day, to include a stockjuding, sheep trimming and charity auction
The family also run a fold of Highland cattle at Aimshaugh.
Along with an impressive 45-minute farm tour, the day featured stockjudging and guess the weight competitions, a sheep trimming demonstration, and a raffle in aid of Huntington’s Disease Association, a charity close to the hearts of the Harrison Family.
A charity auction raised additional money for the charity, with an NCC cross BLT gimmer selling for £900 and a stick, which was kindly donated on the day, made £190. In total, more than £2000 was raised which coupled with funds raised at society members’ receptions at the Royal Highland and Royal Welsh Shows should exceed £3000.
The next day, Aimshaugh sold 290 Texel cross wedder lambs straight off their NCC cross BLT mothers at Hexham and Northern Marts’ store lamb sale at Hexham, where a trio topped the trade at £156. The entire batch averaged £112.
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