Posing with a champion.

The historic occasion was the first sale of livestock through the new Welshpool Livestock Market today. The event was The British Charolais Cattle Society Ltd. (Welsh region ) Official Annual Show and Sale. This handsome fellow was declared the Show Champion. Today's judge was Mr John Williams of Caersws. The last time I saw John, I was judging him at a Strictly Come Dancing Evening in Tregeglwys!

This bull's name is Pedr Dougal and he is 16 months old. His sire's name is Brelack Tycoon, and his dam's name is Pedr Rhonwen. He was bred by Peter Howells of Llanybydder. Today he broke all records at Welshpool by attracting a bid of 8,300 guineas. He went to the noted Montgomeryshire producer, Ashtons of Belanddu. Although I'm wearing a suit, handling a bull is not an unusual experience for me. Until I sold my suckler herd around ten years ago, I always owned two bulls, or hired them in from today's judge.

Handling these creatures is not a job to be treated lightly. Just ask David Dimbleby. When the French Charolais was first imported into this country, the bulls were often a bit frisky - and not only when aroused by a cow or heifer in season. By today, this nasty streak has been largely bred out of them, and the Charolais is generally a gentle creature - for someone who knows what he or she is doing.