2015 Events

Despite the current gloom in the sheep industry as a whole the atmosphere was upbeat at the 60th anniversary sale of Welsh Halfbreds at Ruthin on 2 September. Averages for ewe lambs were up by over £8 with a number of new buyers in attendance from the East of England and the yearling ewe average was up by more than £1. To mark the anniversary Captain Nick Archdale, founder member of the Association’s first Council formed to promote the breeding and collective marketing of Welsh Halfbred females, presented each vendor with a commemorative rosette sponsored by Jones Peckover and Ruthin Farmers’ Auction Mart and reminded everyone that in 1958 yearling ewes averaged £11.10/- with ewe lambs averaging £8.15/-. Captain Archdale watched the sale and presented the Doug Brereton Trophy to Alun Evans, Ffrith Fedw for the best pen of yearling ewes and the ewe lamb trophy to Gwyn Jones, Nant Gwyn as the Champions were in the ring.

Captain Nick Archdale, Founder member of the Welsh Halfbred Sheep Breeders' Association Council, Emyr Jones, Current Chairman, Trefor Lloyd Jones, current President and Vendors at the 2015 sale.

A particular feature of the sale was Olwen Jones' quite exceptional handiwork - her framed tapestry based on the well know photograph of Welsh Halfbred ewes taken many years ago. This sold at £200 to benefit Welsh Air Ambulance and RABI.

Yearling Ewes topped at £160 for a pen of 30 from Alun Evans, Ffrith Fedw selling to Messrs Potter, York and averaging £106.52, up £1.13. Ewe lambs topped at £92 for pens from Gwyn Jones, Nant Gwyn; D H & E G Roberts, Cruglas and I R Jones & Co, Plas Matw and averaged £69.01, up £8.75 on the year.

Alun Evans, Ffrith Fedw with his Champion pen of yearling ewes selling at £152 to Messrs Potter.

Gwyn Jones, Nant Gwyn with his champion lambs which made £82. Gwyn's next pen in made £92 to J G & I V Jones to top the ewe lambs.