MASHAM'S economy was, for years, dependent on sheep and the wool trade.

It is only recently that matters have changed. And so have the sheep. For decades, Masham sheep, a cross between the Swaledale hill-bred ewe and the Wensleydale ram, were the dominant breed all the way from Leicestershire to Westmoreland.

They were strong sheep that could stand up to being driven long distances to markets and beyond. They were tasty, and their wool was in demand, unlike today.

Modernisation came in many guises: the railways could move beasts by train to destinations all over the country; synthetic fibres cast a pall over the wool industry; international transport became quicker, and overseas manufacturers were cheaper than those in these islands.

Masham was no longer so dependent on its sheep.

But the town's once busy mart, which so nearly closed in the aftermath of the foot-and-mouth epidemic in 2001, has had a revival.

The management of Skipton mart thought, in April 2002, that Masham mart would make an ideal collection centre for Skipton, and somewhere where the occasional monthly store cattle sale could be held, perhaps also an autumn gimmer lamb sale.

Auctioneer Jeremy Eaton said: "After about 12 months we realised that there was a market for prime sheep which were difficult to forward price on live weight from a collection centre.

"So we decided to hold some small scale evening sales on Tuesdays, to make sure that farmers were able to attend. We were also determined to recreate the atmosphere of the past."

This idea has been very successful, and has filled a niche for the sale of Nidderdale and hill sheep in the autumn, developing into a good trade for hoggs in the spring, thus accommodating good sales at both ends of the year. These sales have escalated to events where between 1,000 and 1,200 sheep are sold.

At the recent shearling sale, there were 1,600 animals sold.

With this success, farmers from the surrounding area, with an interest in the mart association, wanted to be able to sell their fat cattle locally, and approached Mr Eaton and Skipton mart manager David Frindley with the idea.

Fat cattle sales are now held on Friday mornings and this has become another niche market, as no-one else seems to run a market on a Friday and abattoirs have a shortfall of stock for Mondays after the weekend trade .

Suddenly, there is a waft of energy and life at Masham mart once again. Mr Eaton hopes to be able to get to the sheep fair over the weekend and sell more sheep then.

* Bert Verity, 91, will also be at the sheep fair over the weekend, when he will be giving a talk and a demonstration and reminiscing over the past, as well as explaining the history and development of the Masham breed, using live animals as examples.

He has an extraordinary memory, and it will be a great opportunity to ask him questions about the history of the area.