18th November 2006
By kind permission of Mr Robin Price, approximately 300 vehicles trickled into the field at Rhiwlas, Bala, during Saturday morning bringing spectators, vendors and purchasers for a cold but exceptional autumn sale of working sheep dogs. Sixty five vehicles fronted the field
providing a vantage point to view the dogs being put forward for sale. These vehicles also provided an optional means of escape from the
chilling hail showers that blew intermittently around lunchtime
Out of a record 81 dogs entered with auctioneers 'Ruthin Farmers', 11 dogs reached 2,000 gns. and over.
Another 10 dogs reached prices over 1,000 gns. and with an average of £1,212.31, this sale was the best on record for Bala.Farmers proved that they still need quality dogs for work as the top four dogs sold at Bala on Saturday went to Farmers.
The top priced dogs:
1. The top price of 2,900gns. was paid for Medwyn Evans, Dolgellau's 2 ½ yrs old Moss isds 271884 (Eryri Roi x Queen)), who after winning the 2005 North Wales Nursery Championship, continued to gain experience in both trials and farm work giving his new owner, a buyer from South Wales, the benefit of an invaluable asset
2. Alan Wyn Jones, Llanllyfni sold his homebred 2 ½ yrs old Cap isds ( A W Jones' Roy and Sian ) to local farmer Iwan Williams, Cwm Pennant for 2,600 gns. Moss had also been running in nursery trials and was a good all round flock worker with a good nature.
3. The third highest dog was 15 month old Meg (G L Jones' Nap x T B Davies' Nel) who sold for 2,550 gns. Experience gained with Dei Roberts, Bala will be put to good use by the purchaser Ned Evans, Trawsfynydd on his 2,000 strong flock.
4. Iwan Morris, Glanrafon sold 20month old Shep, a good working dog, to a local farmer for 2,500 gns.
5. A price of 2,450 gns. was paid by Alwyn Williams, Penmachno for H D Roberts, Betws y Coed's Ally ( I B Jones' Nap x M S Jones' Meg). A dog with good potential and ready to bring on.
6. 21 month old Roy isds 277409 ( T I Jones' Shep and Nan) An experienced young dog with plenty of power and a good nature was sold by Doug Lambie, Llangwm for 2,400gns.
Top priced dogs in the young dogs section,
1. Dylan Rhys Jones, Betws y Coed's 11 month old Flash isds 281552 (Spot isds 264262 x Peg isds 262434) was sold for 750 gns, it had both trial and farm potential and was starting well with plenty of stamina.
2. Last to run was Kevin W Davies, Dolgellau's 8 month old Jess isds 283783 (Cloverhill Taff 260378 x Nell 250515 who was starting to show on sheep and sold for 600gns. Jess was a grand daughter to Aled Owen's Roy.
3. G Ll Jones, Rhyduchaf sold 8 month old Biwt isds 282231 (A Ll Jones' Sweep x G Jones' Jess) for 550gns, a promising young bitch with huge potential. ( report by Sue Main)
The next sale will be in May 2007
.
19th November 2005
As buyers sellers and spectators alike arrived for the November Bala Sheep Dog Sale, the field was shrouded
with a thick freezing fog ( even the porta loos were frozen). The first arrivals headed for a ringside seat but were
faced with a sheet of unpenetratable 'pea soup'.82 dogs had been entered for auction and awaited their chance to
show their worth.
The starting time of 9.30 am was delayed giving the sale attendees the chance of some welcomed hot refreshment
( not pea soup) from the caterers. The committee and the auctioneers concerned themselves with the possibility
of not getting through the full 82 dogs before dark but by approximately 10 30am it was decided to start the sale
and to bring the sheep to the near end of the field so the dogs could see them. By mid-day the sun was trying its
best to shine through and the fog began to lift.
It turned out to be a record day for the Bala Sale with 21 dogs being sold for over £1,000 and 3 over £2,000.
Top price of £2,600 was paid by N. Ireland from Cumbria for Alistair Gilchrist's 2 1/2 yr. old black white and
tan bitch Gyp. She is by Alistair's Mac and out of C. Pickford's Gyp, a litter sister to Shirley Cropper's Roy and Alistair's Sam who was 2nd in the N.Wales Nursery Final 2004. Gyp had qualified for this years nursery final.
Second best price of £2,500 was paid by E. G. Evans, Aberystwyth for Alan Wyn Jones' 20 month old Tess.
Tess was home bred and had finished 9th in the N.Wales nursery final.After 2 bitches bringing the two top prices the third best price was made by John Lightfoot's 2 1/2 yr. old dog, Cap, again by Alistair Gilchrist's Mac but out of John's Floss. He was sold to B K Lewis, Llanfyllin for £2,100 and had already achieved 10 national points.
The average price for the sale as disclosed by the auctioneers 'Ruthin Farmers' was £959 ( 913 gns)
