Strong trading at St John’s Chapel Auction Mart saw 1,735 North of England Mule Sheep Association (NEMSA) gimmer lambs achieve an all-in average of £197.57 at the annual sale on Friday 25 September 2026.
The average was £44.93 higher than the previous year, according to Hexham & Northern Marts, which said the majority of the entry came from vendors in Weardale and Alston. The result left vendors pleased with the day’s trading.
Quality praised after dry summer
The pre-sale show featured nine pens of 10, judged by Mule enthusiast Stephen Deeming of Rugby. The entries were described as a credit to the consignors, with comments that the quality was among the best seen throughout the season, particularly after a dry summer in the area.
Stephen Ridley of Appleby judged the runs of 50 or more. The prizes for pens of 10 went to C Hodgson & Son of Hill House West, followed by ML & BE Coulthard of Bridge End and JM & K Robinson of Ling Riggs. R Collingwood of Stewartshield Meadows took fourth place.
In the runs of 50 or more, Hill House West was first, Bridge End second and J Bowes of Glenwhelt House third.
Top prices from the sale
Trading began with a pen from Messrs Pattinson of Pinfold reaching £340. A second pen from the same home sold for £240. The champion pen, from C Hodgson of Hill House, made £335 and was bought by judge Stephen Deeming.
Hill House also won the championship for the best run of 50 or more. Its other pens sold for £230, £215 and £210, with the home recording a rise of £54 on the year. The sale report said Chris Hodgson had won the St John’s Chapel championship for the third consecutive year.
Other notable prices included £320 for the second-prize pen from Michael and Barbara Coulthard of Bridge End, followed by another 10 at £250. The Bridge End consignment of 124 lambs averaged £210.94.
R Collingwood’s fourth-prize pen made £240, selling to Stephen Deeming. J Bowes’ lambs peaked at £280, with further pens at £228 and £225.
JM & K Robinson’s third-prize pen sold for £270, while the Ling Riggs consignment had eight pens above £200.
Sale results and thanks
Hexham & Northern Marts credited vendors for presenting such strong sheep despite the dry summer and thanked vendors, buyers and others who supported the sale at St John’s Chapel mart.
The published price list included £250 for Bridge End Farm and Lands Farm; £240 for Stewart Shield Meadows; £230 for Pinfold House, Hill House West and Ling Riggs; and £228 for Glenwhelt House. Further listed prices ranged from £225 down to £180 across farms including Dale House, Warden Hill, Low Ashgill Farm, Ambling Gate, Shortthorns, Temple Hill, Pease Myers and Wolsingham Park Farms.
Enquiries about the report were directed to Harrison Collingwood on 07895 761102.