You can see photos of Priddy Sheep Fair 2005 by clicking on this link:
Dating back over 600 years, Priddy Sheep Fair has always been a meeting place for West Country farmers and horse traders. Over 1,200 sheep are expected to go under the hammer, watched by the public. The sheep-shearing event will be run again this year as well, with some generous prizes for competitors. There's also a rural crafts section, where you can see felt-making in progress, wool-spinning and various other displays. There are sheep dog demonstrations and workshops too. Running from 9.30 to 10.30am and then again from 2.30 to 4.30pm, you can watch the dogs working, or ask for advice from the qualified instructor who will be on hand to answer your questions. Fair facts According to tradition, Priddy Sheep Fair moved from Wells in 1348 because of the Black Death, although evidence has been found of a Fair being held at Priddy before that. There is a local legend, which says that as long as the hurdle stack remains in the village, so will the Fair. The Fair is held on the nearest Wednesday to 21 August, although originally it was held on the feast of St Lawrence the Martyr on 10 August. The fair has been continuously held every year since 1348, apart from the recent foot -and-mouth epidemic year. Did ewe know? There are approximately 30 million sheep in the UK and 914 different breeds of sheep in the world. People started raising sheep over 10,000 years ago and spinning wool into thread began about 5,000 years ago. A sheep can't get up from lying on its back without help and ewes typically give birth to twins. Sheep grow two teeth a year until they have eight and only have lower teeth that press against an upper palette. They have poor eyesight but an excellent sense of hearing. The "sixth sick sheik's sixth sheep's sick" is said to be the toughest tongue twister in the English language. | 
