Devon Closewools are a true triple purpose breed. Renowned for it's full flavoured, succulent meat, dense strong wool and an ideal "Mule" cross
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Welcome to the official page of the Devon Closewool Sheep Breeders’ Society. The Society was established in 1923 to encourage the breeding and maintenance of the characteristics of the Devon Closewool sheep at home and abroad, and the maintenance of the purity of the breed.
One of two exciting events next month, working with our new key partners @wardandco, South Molton and Slee Blackwell Solicitors LLP, Barnstaple.
Our second event planned next month on farm with Precision Grazing Ltd. Farm Carbon Toolkit and Terrafarmer. Thanks to local farmer Tom Burge at Exmoor Premium Mutton for hosting.
Closewools hit the headlines again this week in the Western Morning News with an article about our Society Show and Sale. Many thanks to judge Andy Lane and Exmoor Farmers Livestock Auctions Ltd.
#rarebreedsheep #rarebreedsurvivaltrust
We saw a flying trade at the Devon Closewool Sheep Breeders' Society Show and Sale today with Mrs Jean Kingdon's overall champion ram selling to 1,100 gns to Maurice Scott whilst D&M Elliott's Reserve Champion shearling ewe, who was also the winner of the Wool on the Hoof competition, kindly judged by Brian Boundy, fetched a staggering, record-breaking 600 gns selling to Mrs Sally Vergette of Hatherleigh. Two other shearling ewes from the same breeder fetched 520gns and 420gns selling to Mrs Clare Williamson-Cary of North Molton. All of Sarah Thorne's shearling ewes fetched upwards of 300 gns the best selling to 450 gns to Martin Tucker of Parracombe. Other rams of note were D & M Elliott's 3rd placed shearling ram selling to the Rennie family at 820 gns, RJ & AD Nicholls' 6th placed shearling ram selling to John Balman at 750 gns and D & M Elliott's 2nd placed shearling ram selling to G Dart & Sons at 700 gns. First placed Old Ram was from GA Ley who sold to G Dart & Sons at 450 gns whilst the 2nd placed Old Ram belonging to RJ & P Burge sold to new breeder Kate Sharp from Ide at 550 gns. New breeders from as far afield as Kent, Herefordshire and Dorset helped lift the price together with new breeders closer to home. Our thanks to auctioneer Andy Lane, assisted by wife Gina, for encouraging such a magnificent trade giving the newer bidders the time and confidence to place their bids and pushing some of the more experienced ones along when they needed it! Final thanks to judge Ben Blackmore who had a very busy morning judging so many animals and to Exmoor Farmers Livestock Auctions Ltd for hosting us. A full report will be published in the Winter newsletter.
The catalogue for the Devon Closewool show and sale is currently being printed and will be with members shortly. If anyone else would like a sale catalogue please contact the secretary on 07854 937747.
Our Centenary Event made headlines in the Western Morning News Farming pages this week!
What a truly wonderful day we had at West Whitefield Farm, Challacombe on Sunday celebrating 100 years of the Devon Closewool Sheep Breeders' Society. Over 200 members and guests joined us for a delicious lunch, numerous judging competitions, a trimming demonstration by Richard Clark, 'have a go on the spinning wheel' with Sally Vergette, a farm walk and a sheepdog demonstration by Tim Nicholas. Peter Huntley auctioned a ewe lamb bred by the late Ray Kingdon which fetched a record £330 selling to Martin Tucker plus 40 small bales of straw donated by the Woollacott family which raised a further £130 selling to Martin Burge. The draw raised an amazing £569 for the Farming Community Network thanks to some wonderful prizes from Mason Kings, Shearwell Data, MVF and Bridgman's amongst others. A lovely display of old photographs provided much reminiscing and some of these are shown below. Three lovely trophies were presented to the Society by Reg Kingdon, Nicola Comer and Marcus Vergette for which we are very grateful. Heartfelt thanks go to Jean Kingdon, Janet Bale, Steve Bale, Nigel Kingdon and Glenda Kingdon for hosting this event in the memory of our dear friend the late Ray Kingdon - you did him proud.
Full report in tomorrow's Western Morning News Farming and in the winter edition of the Exmoor Magazine .
The final day's showing of the season for Devon Closewool classes was at Dunster Show today. What a stunning location this is for a show! Once again D & M Elliott took the Breed Championship this time with her Shearling Ram and Reserve Breed Champion went to David Snell with his Shearling Ewe. The breed was well supported with large entries in most classes which was great to see and thanks goes to Ricky Rennie for judging.
Results:-
Old Ram
1st M Scott & Son
2nd D & M Elliott
3rd M & E Bray
Shearling Ram
1st D & M Elliott
2nd D Snell
3rd RJ & AD Nicholls
Ram Lamb
1st Harry Ellis
2nd M Scott and Son
3rd D & M Elliott
Old Ewe
1st D & M Elliott
2nd D Snell
3rd M Scott and Son
Shearling Ewe
1st D Snell
2nd D & M Elliott
3rd RJ & AD Nicholls
Ewe Lamb
1st M Scott and Son
2nd M Scott and Son
3rd D Snell
Group of Three
1st D & M Elliott
2nd D Snell
3rd RJ & AD Nicholls
There was another day of showing for the Devon Closewools at Okehampton Show yesterday. Breed Champion went to Miss B Rennie's shearling ewe with Reserve going to Mrs L Rennie's old ram. Well done to all the competitors including the boys from Brymore Academy who brought forward a lovely display of sheep. Thank you to Spud Taylor for judging.
Results:-
Group of Three
1st RJ & AD Nicholls
2nd Mrs L Rennie
3rd Mr P Abel
Old Ram
1st Mrs L Rennie
2nd Mr P Abel
3rd Brymore Academy
Shearling Ram
1st RJ & AD Nicholls
2nd Mr P Abel
3rd Mr M Tucker
Ram Lamb
1st Miss B Rennie
2nd Harry Ellis
3rd RJ & AD Nicholls
Old Ewe
1st Mrs L Rennie
2nd Harry Ellis
3rd Brymore Academy
Shearling Ewe
1st Miss B Rennie
2nd RJ & AD Nicholls
3rd Mr P Abel
Ewe Lamb
1st Miss B Rennie
2nd Harry Ellis
3rd Mr M Tucker
Male Champion - Mrs L Rennie's Old Ram
Female Champion - Miss B Rennie's Shearling Ewe