Devon County Show - Only flock of Bowmont sheep in the world come to the County Show

Sheep farmer  Lesley Prior is bringing her unique flock of Bowmont sheep, which almost certainly produce the finest wool in Britain, to this year’s Devon County Show on May 19-21 at Westpoint, Exeter.

From her farm on the edge of Exmoor, Lesley’s flock produce incredibly fine quality fleece which is comparable to the superfine Merino wool.

"The Bowmont sheep were bred at the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute in Scotland,” said Lesley Prior.

 "When the research programme folded I bought some of the sheep from the flock and resisted the temptation to cross them with other breeds, making this the only pure bred Bowmont flock in the world.” 

Bowmont wool is highly prized and sells for up to £30/kg, which is twenty times the price of normal wool.

She added: “In the recent world hand spinning championships in Tasmania the winning contestant spun an almost unbelievable one and a quarter miles of yarn from just 10 grams of Bowmont wool.”

Lesley’s star Bowmont ram, as well as a ewe and lambs, will be on her stand in the Angora Goats & Fibre pavilion, alongside examples of fleeces, and items made from the superfine wool.

Also there will be Finisterre, the Cornish surf wear company that buys all Lesley’s wood crop. “This is a good news story! Together we show how collaborative working by farmers and commercial companies can offer a bright future for quality British wool.”

Livestock is one of the many jewels in the crown of the hugely popular County Show, along with a mouth-watering array of local food and drink, inspiring flower and garden displays, stalls offering a wealth of goods, and lots of entertainment in six rings.

For daring thrills and spills there are the dazzling Bolddog Lings motorcycle display team performing in the main ring. There will also be a seven-a-side rugby tournament featuring local Academy teams, horse-back falconry displays and dancing sheep.

Devon County Show is on May 19-21 at Westpoint, Exeter. Once again children go free on Saturday and, for the first time, this year senior citizens are eligible for the buy-one-get-one-free offer on all three days of the Show. Additional savings are available if tickets are bought in advance. To book and for more information, 01392 353700, info@dcshow.org, www.devoncountyshow.co.uk

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