Monastery records show Blackfaces have been around since at least the 12th century, and if truth be known, the competition between farmers to produce the best specimen among these hardy upland flocks has probably existed since then too.
So Stewie was well-pleased with what was his second Blackface championship in a row at Northumberland County Show on Monday. Both years, his winner has been in the ewe lamb class.
Friend and friendly rival Jamie Murray, meanwhile, had the reserve this year.
In the ‘best group of three’ category though the positions were reversed – Jamie took the champion’s rosette and Stu the reserve – and the fences holding their sheep boasted a multi-coloured bank of additional rosettes besides.
Stewie’s winner was judged a good strong forward lamb for the time of year, no mean feat considering the harsh longevity of this past winter.
He and his father, William, have 1250 breeding ewes and 70 suckler cows at the farm, High Edges Green near Haltwhistle, the family has worked down the generations for 95 years now.
“But it was hard trying to find the entries (for the county show) this year, because the lambs aren’t as strong in general,” he said.
“They are fairly small compared to last year.”
He was pleased, too, to have been first off the blocks in the two-man race with Jamie.
They ended last year on four championships to two in Jamie’s favour.
“Jamie and I had a good battle last year,” Stewie laughed.
“We help each other as well, though.
“We’re neighbours on the Roman Wall and we play quoits together on the same team, so it’s a good rivalry.
“We’re the first to congratulate each other when the other one wins.”
They will meet next at their local Roman Wall Show, and then it will be the Upper Redesdale Show after that.
Both are small shows, but very sheep-orientated.
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