DARLINGTON MART
THE 24th Annual Whitley Hey production sale on behalf of Mr Paul Slater was held in North West
Auctions J36 in conjunction with Darlington Farmers Auction Mart on Monday 18th August 2025.
Forward were 600 head comprising of…
191 Shearling Rams sold to 3300 Guineas
74 Warranted Ewes sold to £680
199 Shearling Ewes sold to £750
136 Gimmer Lambs sold to £650
An absolutely magnificent display of sheep once again from Paul Slater at Whiteley Hey attracted
over one hundred buyers to North West Auctions as the growing reputation for the quality at this
annual production continued its upward trajectory. Without the restrictive Bluetongue restrictions
hampering the regular Scottish and Welsh buyers to this sale the packed ringside could well have set
a new attendance record.
Tups
The top three tups were all magnificent pure Texels out of the first pen of the day as lot six sold for
3300 guineas and lots four and five sold for 3200 guineas. The stunning first pen of nine all sired by
the 36k Teiglum Firefly set the ring alight early doors as they averaged a marvellous £2257. The
leader of the pen headed away to Messrs A N & A Jelly, Chisnall Brow Farm, Chorley whilst his high
flying companions went to B Jones, Alton Manor Farm and TD, ME & GE Todd of Holme Farm,
Sedburgh.
Following the three tremendous Texels were two further tups at 2600 guineas, lot twenty-five a
wonderful Charollais crossed Beltex along with another super sort wearing lot fifty.
Sensational three quarter Beltex tups sold twice to 2400 guineas and again at 2200 guineas as the
buyers looking to breed show lambs were certainly keen to source the right genetics.
An excellent twenty-six other tups sold between 1500 guineas and 2000 guineas as the sale
averaged a pleasing £1254 per head.
Females
An absolute frenzy at the female ringside as a sizzling trade ensued. The numbers speak for
themselves as the warranted ewes average £441.62 (+£41.62) the shearling ewes averaged £392.87
(£70.20) and the gimmer lambs averaged £269.05 (+£64.07).
Top of the ewes at £680 was a simply stunning Beltex, she was followed thrice by pure Texels at
£600 as the red hot ewe trade saw only ten sell below £400.
Shearling ewes continued the momentum with perfect pairs of Texels selling to £750 once and £700
three times with more than seventy sheep following between £400 and £520.
A great run of gimmer lambs this year look certain to please their new owners, top were a fine pair
of Texels at £650, a second pair followed at £520 with the next twenty eight lambs over £300.
Leading Prices
Shearling Rams (Guineas)
Texel – 3300 3200 3200 2000 1800(x3) 1700(x4) 1600(x6) 1500(x4) 1400(x6)
Charollais X – 2600(x2) 1800 1550 1500 1450
Beltex X – 2400(x2) 2200 1900(x2) 1800 1600 1550 1400
Warranted Ewes
Texel – £600 £520 £500 £400
Charollais X – £550 £520 £420 £400
Beltex X – £680 £480 £420 £400
Shearling Ewes
Texel – £750 £700 £520 £500 £480 £450 £420 £400
Charollais X – £420 £400
Beltex X – £420 £400
Gimmer Lambs
Texel – £650 £520 £370 £350 £340 £320 £300 £280 £260
Charollais X – £350 £320 £300 £270
Beltex X – £280
…..three photos…..
NEWS
£17 million invested into road resurfacing
MILLIONS of pounds are being invested in helping to keep County Durham’s roads moving.
Durham County Council is continuing its commitment to maintaining and improving the county’s
highway network, with a significant investment of £17 million in the 2025/26 financial year. This
funding is enabling the resurfacing and treatment of over 700,000 square metres of road across 100
locations.
To sustain and extend the life of the county’s roads this year, the council is using a variety of
surface treatments. This includes:
- Nearly 350,000 square metres of surface dressing.
- 110,000 square metres of micro asphalt.
- Approximately 210,000 square metres of roads resurfaced with inlay and overlay.
- Around 55,000 square metres of structural patching.
Cllr Tim McGuinness, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for rural, communities and
highways, said: “To ensure investment is directed where it is most needed, we develop a three-year
resurfacing programme which carefully prioritises roads to be treated. We use information on road
conditions, how often a road is used, accident history, and recommendations from highway
inspectors to determine the programme.
“Our approach is guided by the principle of the right treatment at the right time, ensuring long-
term value and safety for road users.”
The council has recently acquired a new Integrated Highway Asset Management System, which
uses data to deliver a more cost effective and streamlined service.
This uses Artificial intelligence (AI) in council vehicles to gather real time data on road and
footpath conditions.
This information is automatically uploaded into the asset management system, making it possible to
repair roads faster, keeping them safer.
For more information on the council’s highways maintenance programme, visit
www.durham.gov.uk/roadresurfacingprogramme
