Historic breeds were the star of this year's The National Show and Sale of Traditional Native Breeds at Melton Cattle Market on the 12th and 13th September. Over one hundred cattle were on show, along with some nine hundred sheep and one hundred pigs. Since 2003, the show has pitched itself as one of the country's leading events for keepers of rare breeds, with livestock regularly drawing crowds from across the UK.
Farmers from across the country were enthusiastic about the show and their animals. Lisa Bell, who runs Needles Hall Farm in Northamptonshire, brought her miniature Dexter cattle to the show, while other farmers travelled from as far as Buckinghamshire and the Home Counties.
The cattle market manager, Tim Webster, was positive about the prospects for the show in the future, remarking that: "We are already looking ahead to next year. I’ve heard a lot of the town’s hotels are already getting booked up and hopefully the Premier Inn, once it is built, can help accommodate more people attending the event.”