Corby Glen Sheep Fair’s auction has been cancelled for the second time in six years because of foot-and-mouth restrictions. There are also restrictions on animal movements because of the bluetongue outbreak in East Anglia.
Corby’s auction was scheduled for Monday but has been postponed until next year to coincide with the 770th sheep fair. It regularly attracts up to 4,000 breeding sheep from as far away as Norfolk and Yorkshire and is a major attraction for farmers and their families.
Other events at the fair are still going ahead, kicking off tomorrow with entertainment and a craft market.
Steve Honeywood, of the Corby Glen Sheep Fair Association, said the decision had been made following communications from joint auctioneers Richardsons of Sheep Market, Stamford and Escritt, Barrell and Golding of Grantham.
He said: “Geoffrey Bishop, of Escritts, was hopeful until last Friday of the auction going ahead but was then advised that permission to stage the event had been declined because of the risks involved in transporting livestock. We are bitterly disappointed but thank both sets of auctioneers for their unstinting efforts.
“We look forward to the auction being back next year but in the meantime are urging everyone to come along and enjoy the weekend’s activities which continue as planned.”
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural affairs had the final say on whether permission should be given.

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Posted: 10|3|07 at 4:48 pm. Filed under: Auction News.