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6 August 2009updated 27 Sep 2015 2:29am

Sheep scoop

Somerset, home of the late Harry Patch and one of the greatest-sounding events of All Time

By Sophie Elmhirst

On the day we bid farewell to the veteran Harry Patch, all eyes turn to Somerset. So, I hear you cry, what else happens in that fine county? YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED! There’s only the 661-year-old Priddy sheep fair!

This needs no more words.

And yet.

Once you start looking, there are sheep fairs EVERYWHERE. There’s Findon and Corby Glen (claiming the crown for oldest sheep fair in Britain – since 1238. 1238! Can we have a moment for 1238! How do you even say that year out loud?) and East Ilsley and Masham. And probably plenty more that have so far escaped the clutches of the internet. For some reason, on this otherwise sombre day, this feels like excellent news.

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