Pentwyn Sheep Sales

It would appear that these annual sales commenced in 1928 and were located to the south of Pentwyn Churchyard, the southern wall being the northern boundary of the sheep pens.

I can well remember trains shunting cattle trucks into Fochriw station siding and a large wooden sided trailer on two wheels being used to transfer the sheep from the trucks to the siding yard. They would then be, very noisily, driven up the main road to Pentwyn, leaving a very messy trail of droppings on the road in their wake.

The following are Merthyr Express reports of some of the sales.

29 August 1931   4th Annual Draft Ewe Sales: Pentwyn, Fochriw   Welsh Mountain Sheep (only sheep direct from the actual mountain breeders allowed in the sales) - 2,500 excellent hardy mountain sheep as follows: 1,850 strong ewes; 600 fat and store ewes and wether lambs and wethers; 50 mountain rams.  John Herbert has been favoured with instructions from the Bedlinog, Fochriw and District Sheep Breeders Association to sell the above by public auction on Thursday, 17th September, 1931, at 12.30p.m. prompt. Also, 25 dozen new ash hurdles. Further particulars: Edwards, Bedlinog Farm, & Auctioneer, Crumlin, Tel. 40.

1 October 1932   Sheep Sale   A large crowd was attracted to Pentwyn on Wednesday, when Mr. John Herbert conducted the 5th annual draft ewe sale. There was a fine collection of hardy mountain ewes, fat and store lambs, weathers, rams, etc.

29 September 1934 Sheep Sale   The annual Welsh mountain sheep sale took place on Wednesday at Pentwyn. Many buyers were present, and a fine class of ewes, lambs and rams was sold.

28 September 1935   Sheep Sale   The annual Welsh mountain sheep sale was held at Pentwyn on Wednesday, when a large number of ewes, lambs and rams were for sale. The auctioneer was Mr. John Herbert.

26 September 1936   Sheep Sale   The annual sale of Welsh mountain sheep took place at Pentwyn on Wednesday last, and attracted a large crowd of buyers and sellers. Good prices were realised

23 September 1939   Ewe Sale   The 13th annual draft ewe sale of Welsh mountain sheep was held at Pentwyn on Wednesday, when a large number of ewes, fat lambs and rams were sold.  The auctioneer was Mr. John Herbert

20 September 1941   Sheep Sale   The annual sale took place at Pentwyn on Tuesday. The sale of Ewes, store lambs, rams and young cattle was conducted by Mr. John Herbert, F.A.L.P.A

6 November 1954  Sheep Farmers Dinner At Fochriw     More than 50 farmers and their friends attended the annual dinner on Wednesday of the Fochriw and District Sheep Breeders’ Association. The dinner, one of the most successful in the Association’s history, was held at the White Horse Inn, Pentwyn. Mr. Lewis Edwards, J.P., a former member of the Gellygaer Urban Council, and one of the best known farmers in the Gellygaer and Merthyr areas, presided, and welcomed the guests, who included Mr. John H. Davies, prospective Conservative candidate for the Caerphilly Parliamentary Division; Police Supt. William Folland, Ystrad Mynach; Police Inspector Stanley Farr, Ystrad Mynach; Mr. A. S. Williams, J.P., Bargoed. The majority of the artistes in a programme of entertainment were drawn from members of the farming community, who were congratulated by several speakers on their initiative and enterprise. Votes of thanks were given by Mr. Geraint Ingram and Mr. T. Lewis.