THE inaugural show and sale of pedigree Welsh Black Cattle went ahead at Abergavenny on Friday, despite the fuel crisis being at its peak. Fortunately, most of the exhibitors attended with only three failing to make it, said auctioneers J Straker, Chadwick and Sons.

They reported a tremendous trade with many going home without making a purchase. The overall champion was the in-calf heifer Yrallt Ellen, exhibited by Philip Arrowsmith, Llandrindod Wells. The animal also collected the female championship with the reserve female championship going to former society president John Pryse Rees' maiden heifer Brysgaga Sally.

The bull Yrallt Meirion from Philip Arrowsmith took the male championship.

Mr and Mrs P M Bowen of Treharris bought the champion female for 1,000 guineas outside the ring after it failed to sell at 950 guineas. The consistently good trade kept up throughout the sale with females over three years old averaging £525, 2-3-year-old females £578.34 and 1-2-year-old heifers £550.50.

The champion bull caught the eye of several prospective purchasers and after a tremendous tussle was eventually knocked down to a West Country buyer for 1,850 guineas.