Bids flowed fast and furious at an auction held at the Cumberland Hotel, Alston.
Farmers from as far afield as Middleton-in-Teesdale and Penrith — as well as many from the local area — competed in a fodder competition which attracted 34 hay entries, plus six of clamp silage and 12 of big bale silage.
The judging was carried out by farming brothers Thomas Carrick, High Crossgill, and Graham Carrick, The Hole — both from the Alston area — with 70 to 80 people present as the results were announced during a convivial gathering at the hotel.
Event organiser James Thomson said that as part of the event the hay was auctioned off after the judging, with no fewer than 15 bidders buying it in turn.
This helped boost the total raised on the evening for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution — a charity which helps farmers who have fallen on hard times — to £3,128.
Also auctioned off was the promise of six metres of dry stone walling, which will be done by James and two other volunteers. This was bought by John White, Rigg Farm.
Competition results: Big bale silage — 1 James Raine, Randalholme; 2 James Thomson, Howburn; 3 Johnny Bell, Woodhall. Clamp silage — 1 Chloe James, Mid Todhills; 2 Mark Wills, Fawcett Park; 3 Michael Story, Haltwhistle. Hay — 1 James Thomson; 2 Angus Richardson, Sheep Riggs; 3 Robert Clarkson, Mickleton. Champion — Chloe James.
Sponsors were the Cumberland Hotel, Nook Holiday Cottage, Harrison and Hetherington, D. W. Toppin and Son, Burrow and Rutter Armstrong, David Allen Accountants, Longtown mart and Agri-King Agriculture Ltd.
James said a similar competition he organised last year raised £2,273 for the Great North Air Ambulance Service.
He added that thoughts in the Alston Moor farming community are now turning to Alston show, the annual meeting for which is set to take place at the Cumberland Hotel on 16th February at 7-30pm.
