At Winter Fairs up and down the country the Southdowns left their mark, with breeders achieving success in all events at which the breed was represented.

The Royal Welsh Winter Fair saw an encouraging number of Southdowns entered and in both live and dead classes Southdowns were in the line-up of winning exhibits.

The Royal Welsh Winter Fair was a worthwhile trip for three major Sussex-based breeders. Stephen & Paul Humphrey’s East Dean flock, from near Chichester, took the red rosette for their pair of Southdowns, and achieved similar success for their pair of lambs not containing any continental breeding. Messrs Wakeham-Dawson & Harmer from Lewes were awarded first place for their single Southdown lamb, with Nick Page and the Goodwood flock featuring in the winning line-up in all classes.

At the Stafford Winter Fair the Goodwood flock continued their successful run with a winning pair of lambs. In the pure-bred native lamb class it was long-standing Southdown breeder R O Cox of Stoney Stanton, Leics, who took the honours.

The South East Primestock Winter Fair saw local Sussex-based breeders in competition for the top places. The Ridings flock of Messrs Wakeham-Dawson & Harmer was successful in both the trimmed and untrimmed pairs classes, with Goodwood, D, S & P Humphrey and Charles Bull all standing in the winning line-up.

In the carcase competition it was a Southdown carcase exhibited by Mrs E Sargent that won the Reserve Supreme title.

First prize pair of Southdown lambs bred and exhibited by D. S. & P. Humphrey at the 2018 Royal Welsh Winter Fair

First and second prize pairs of native carcases bred and exhibited by D. S. & P. Humphrey at the 2018 Royal Welsh Winter Fair