Champion sheep breeders to sell their pedigree flock

For the fine Wensleydale specimen was the star of a charity "guess its weight" competition at the Midland Bank, in Leyburn, North Yorkshire.

Mrs Pedley was so taken by it that she and her husband, Frank, immediately agreed to start their own pedigree flock.

Twenty years later, she can look back on a string of championships, including the Royal, Royal Highland and Great Yorkshire Shows.

The most memorable was the 1997 Great Yorkshire, when a ewe in full wool took the breed, longwool and "wool on the hoof" supreme championships - a treble that has not been equalled.

But now "advancing years" have led Mr and Mrs Pedley's to reluctantly decide to sell their Hunton flock - although they will continue to promote the breed.

Mrs Pedley said: "It is just a question of time catching up with us. The Wensleydale is a very large sheep and because of its beautiful wool it takes a lot of care.

"It is known as the aristocrat of the sheep world and rather than keep a flock which may not always be at its best, we have decided to call it a day."

The couple moved to Old Hall, Hunton, near Bedale, when Mr Pedley retired from the Army 25 years ago.

Their older sheep were sold last year. The remaining 27 lambs will be sold as shearlings at the breed association's shows and sales at Melton Mowbray on September 8 and Skipton on October 5.

Their retirement will leave only three Wensleydale flocks in the dale and they are keen to see more started.

Mr Pedley said: "We could do with another half dozen with ten or 12 breeding ewes each."

Mr Pedley has retired as Wensleydale Longwool Sheep Breeder's Association secretary after nine years but he and Mrs Pedley will continue as council members, positions they have held for more than 15 years.

Both are eager to pass on their expertise to other breeders and to anyone new interested in keeping Wensleydales, particularly in the dale.

Contact 01677-450579 or visit www.wensleydale-sheep.com for more information.