1. Origins of the Shropshire Heathland sheep of Shropshire & Staffs Grey/black/speckled-faced Weigh 10 lbs quarter when fattened Good quality, fine wool Some with horns Natural disease resistance BUT – slow to mature, with light 2lb fleece

2. The Longmynd Type ‘There is a breed of sheep on the Longmynd that seem an indigenous sort; nimble and hardy…’ Joseph Plymley, General View, 1803.

3. Improving the Breed Leicester and Southdown already improved Different approaches to Shropshire Geo. Adney of Harley – carefully selected breeding stock from local sources Sam. Meire of Berrington – introduced Leics rams to improve fattening/docility, Southdowns for dark face, better wool

4. The Improved Shropshire Upland > Down sheep Black faces Suppressed horns 6-8lb fleeces 20-22 lbs quarter Broad shoulders Long, level back

5. Recognition at the Royal Show 1845 Royal Show at Shrewsbury – no class Shropshires recognised at Gloucester, 1853 1860 visit to Canterbury – own classes Judge in 1868 – ‘ more widely spread than any other class of sheep’ Taunton judge (1875) - ‘not a single breed of sheep has made a greater improvement than the Shropshire’

6. The Royal at Shrewsbury, 1884 Confirmation of the breed’s wider popularity 60 Shropshire exhibitors from 15 counties bring 875 sheep – prizes of £345 Over 100 in shearling ram class

7. Growth in UK Popularity Wider acceptance fostered by local stalwarts James and Ed. Crane, who carried on Geo. Adney’s work WG Preece, the auctioneer, who sold Shrophires in Shrewsbury and Birmingham Thomas Horton, of Harnage Grange, Royal prizewinner

8. Organising the Breed Growing popularity led to formation of Breed Association in 1882 First President – J. Bowen-Jones of Montford Bridge Secretaries were Lythall and Mansell, auctioneers Basic details of rams had been kept from 1850s 1883 – first flock book published, giving details of rams from 132 breeders, starting in 1835

9. The Shropshire Abroad Formation of SSBA enables Shropshire to compete on world stage Requirement for true dual-purpose breed to be used as crossing ram, esp.on Merino Early market was in New Zealand/Australia – 253 rams exported between 1880-1900 Larger market in North America, 1900-1920, when 6700 rams left UK Breeder Assocs. follow in US, Tasmania, Aust

10. A Decline in Fortunes 1st WW disrupted all export trade Foot and Mouth, 1922 Difficult to re-adjust to home market - Smaller joints - Other breed rivals - Head wool debate

11. Survival… and Revival 1941 – Breed publicity committee started ‘Naturally clean soft black faces and legs’ 1963 no Royal classes 1974 – new Secretary 1976 – Royal classes re-start 1982 - Centenary

12. The Future