Nearly time for Fatstock Show

The 112th Uppingham Christmas Fatstock Show will take place in the Market Place, Uppingham, Rutland on Wednesday, November 28.

Cancelled only by war and the two national out-breaks of the foot and mouth epidemic this is a unique show being the only event of its kind in the UK still held in temporary penning in a town market square.

The regular weekly fatstock market finished in 1954, with the ending of wartime controls, but the annual Fatstock Show has continued.

It remains one of the most prestigious events in the town’s calendar and is without a doubt “a jewel in Rutland’s crown”.

The show includes classes for cattle, sheep and pigs.

“Livestock entries for all classes are high for what should once again prove to be an excellent show”, said show chairman Charlie Mason.

The Market Place will be cleared on the evening before the show and the temporary penning erected where cars would normally park.

Livestock to be exhibited will arrive from about 7am on the morning of the show and judging will take place at about 10am.

Prize giving - presentation of challenge cups and special prizes will take place at approximately 11.30am, followed by a public auction of the pigs and sheep at midday.

The entire show will be cleared, pens removed and the Market Place cleaned by early afternoon - a logistical feat in its own right.

The society’s guest for the show will be Robert Addison. Robert has more than 30 years’ experience as a livestock auctioneer.

He is managing director of Hexham and Northern Marts in Northumberland and is a past-chairman of the Livestock Auctioneers’ Association 2012-13.

He lives in Cumbria, with his wife and two sons, on a 100-acre farm and a flock of 70 Greyface x Texel breeding ewes.

Robert will present the cups and trophies to the winning exhibitors and speak at the annual luncheon to be held immediately after the show in the Falcon Hotel, which flanks the northern side of Uppingham Market Place.