DEVON COUNTY SHOW 21st – 23rd May 2026
ROYAL BATH & WEST SHOW 28th – 30th May 2026
MID DEVON SHOW 25th July 2026
WOOLSERY SHOW 27th July 2026
NORTH DEVON SHOW 5th August 2026
EXFORD SHOW 12th August 2026
OKEHAMPTON SHOW 13th August 2026
DUNSTER SHOW 21st August 2026
SOCIAL / EDUCATIONAL EVENT – Pop Up Farm Visit – Following the recent Countryfile ‘Lambing Special’ where the programme visited Tom Cole, just outside North Molton in Devon, we thought it would be fun to go and see how he was getting on with crossing his Suffolk Mule ewes with a Devon Closewool ram and how the lambs were performing. Tom lambs in January at a reasonably high altitude, and, having lost several lambs in previous years to wet, cold winters, he decided to try a Closewool ram in the hope that the lambs would have more wool on them and therefore be hardier.
Would it have been a success or was he on a fool’s errand as one or two local farmers thought! Well, so far, so good and Tom is about to start picking fat lambs tomorrow (just as most of us are finishing lambing!). The Closewool ram only went in for one cycle so there are only 40 lambs and as he has started picking, time is of the essence hence the limited amount of notice given for which I apologise. (There are lots of other lambs to see as well as the Closewools).
The visit will only last an hour or so as Tom has a very young family and is extremely busy but the intention is to have a meal at the Poltimore Arms at North Molton straight afterwards. We don’t need to pre-order food but they do need to know numbers so I would be very grateful if you could drop me an email, by return, to let me know whether you intend coming and how many will be in your party.
SUMMER FLOCK VISIT – Clive & Lydia Handy, Andoversford – Sunday 19th June 2026 – We were treated to a glorious day yesterday at Lower Hampen Farm, Gloucestershire by hosts Clive and Lydia Handy. The Devon Closewool ewes, lambs and ewe hogs looked magnificent despite the grass being burnt up which shows the resilience of the breed in all conditions. A tour of the farm took us past beautiful flower rich margins full of butterflies, acres of heritage wheat grown regeneratively farmed using the farms no plough policy, a wooded slope with 4 cheeky Oxford Sandy and Black weaners, fields of Sanfoin grown for its seed to be added to herbal ley mixtures, bee hives, new woodland plantations, a magnificent market garden and we ended up in the gorgeous Three Turnips cafe and shop where we were treated to delicious sandwiches with homemade bread from their heritage wheat and quiches and cakes using their homegrown spinach and courgettes. ‘If you want a job doing, ask a busy person to do it’ has never been truer! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their day and we can’t thank Clive and Lydia enough for making us so welcome. www.homegrown@hampen
ANNUAL BREED SOCIETY SHOW & SALE 14th September 2026 – Location: Blackmoor Gate Market, Kentisbury, Barnstaple, Ex31 4NW – for catalogue please click on the following link http://devonclosewool.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-Show-Sale-Catalogue.pdf
SECOND RAM SALE Monday 19th October 2026 – Location: Blackmoor Gate Market, Kentisbury, Barnstaple, Ex31 4NW – We have a great entry of rams for our Annual Show and Sale at Blackmoor Gate on Monday 14th September, but, in the event that any of those entered have a low scoring fertility test due to a recent Blue Tongue infection (or possibly because of heat stress), we have decided to offer those rams a second chance of being sold. It can take 6-8 weeks for rams to fully recover from an infection so the 19th October may just allow these animals enough time to recover and get back to full fertility. Many of us don’t put our rams in until mid to late October so hopefully a sale on the 19th October will suit the majority. Peter Huntley of Exmoor Farmers Livestock Auctions, has kindly agreed to group all Closewool entries consecutively in the catalogue. Please enter this sale direct with Exmoor Farmers (01643 841841) no less than 7 days prior to the sale for inclusion in their catalogue. For catalogue please click on the following link http://devonclosewool.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Blackmoor-Gate-2nd-Sale-2026.pdf
QUIZ NIGHT With the Exmoor Horns is Tuesday 3rd November 2026 at Molland Village Hall – 6.45pm for a 7pm start to include a 2 course meal for £10 – Please book by 29th October 2026 through Kim Dart for catering purposes. Drinks are available from the London Inn.
SOCIETY DINNER ANNUAL DINNER AND PRIZE GIVING – FRIDAY 16th OCTOBER 2026 – To be held at Riverside Country Club, South Molton, EX36 3HQ. A superb carvery followed by pudding and tea/coffee for £32.50 (half price for under 18’s). Please book via the secretary. The venue also provides accommodation with 9 bedrooms above the main building to include breakfast and will also make static caravans available for anyone wishing to make a weekend of it. There are fishing lakes within the grounds and plenty of footpaths too. Have a look at their website www.exmoorriverside.co.uk and if you wish to book accommodation, it would be wise to do it sooner rather than later as the rooms will go quite quickly.
FLOCK COMPETITION The Flock competition will be split into two sections for small and large flocks. It is anticipated that the small flock section will be up to 35 ewes and large flock over 35 ewes however the exact split will be determined once entries have been submitted. Entries from all flocks are welcome with
additional prizes for:-
Best Novice (not to have entered the competition before)
Best Flock belonging to a member 16yrs and Under
Best Stockperson
Flocks will be judged in the last week of October/first week of November (or thereabouts) by Andy Lane and Sally Meikle
Closing Date for entries is Monday 19th OCTOBER 2026
Entry Form is on the Links page of the website
NEXT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 18th November 2026 – Location: Filleigh Village Hall, Filleigh, Barnstaple, EX32 0RS at 7.30pm – All members welcome Light refreshments available from 7pm
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