At 7.30 am. on a beautiful Autumn morning, cattle lorries loaded with Rams began arriving at Rye cattle Market. October 4th. was Ram Sale Day and Messrs. Vidler & Co, local auctioneers, were holding their 47th. Annual Show and Sale.
The rams that morning were not just herded into pens, sold and carted away again, but they were treated with a special respect. First, they had to look their smartest—they were groomed and the very best were put on a collar and lead and paraded for judging.
No one was greatly surprised when the final issue was between two ram tegs bred by Mr. Jack Merricks and Mr. W. J. Hacking. The judges, Mr. Frank Rummery of Coldred and Mr. Alex Piper of Iden finally decided in favour of Mr. Jack Merricks. The champion ram was subsequently sold for the day’s top price of 80 guineas. The attendance was good and this sale attracted buyers from a very wide area.
All in all, everyone agreed it had been a very good day and perhaps it was as it should be, for after all every ram should have its day.
From Rye’s Own November 1965
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