The annual fair for the sale of sheep and pigs (horned cattle being prohibited this year on account of the cattle plague) was held in Brampton Bryan, on Thursday the 21st inst. There was, as usual, a large attendance of dealers; and sheep, of which there was a tolerably good show, brought good prices — fat wethers realised from 8d to 9d per pound — but a great many had been bought up at the different farms before the market commenced. Pigs were "few and far between" but for those that were offered prices exceeding former years were asked and obtained. The horse fair, one of the largest in the county, took place the following day and was numerously attended, intended purchasers flocking in from all parts of the country and Birmingham in particular, there being more than the average number of "jobbers". The "turn out" fell short of previous years in respect to number and quality; but the number of horses was, after all, by no means small, there being not fewer than three thousand in the market. Most of the animals that were brought forward were of the middling and inferior sorts, the best horses having doubtless been picked up at the stables early in the morning, or on the day before the fair by extensive dealers. Mr Matthew Evans, Craven Arms, obtained as much as £80 for two "hacks" and £75 for two waggon horses, but these were of a superior kind to those exhibited at the fair. Good hacks and hunters, of which there were very few, ranged from 20 to 80 guineas, and ponies, which had hitherto realised no more than £3, £5, or £6 were sold at a high figure from £10 to £12 apiece. Of the ordinary class of animals, nags were bought at from £10 to £25, carthorses £10 to £30, and ponies from £2 to £7. A very fast trotting horse, though nothing particular to look at, was purchased by Mr Sankey, dealer, Birmingham, from Mr. Roberts, farmer, Wigmore, for £23 10s: and Doctor Jackman of Leintwardine, disposed of two handsome black ponies for £10 each. Many horses were left unsold. The Welsh mountain breed was considerably represented, but powerful horses for agricultural purposes seemed to be scarce; at least few were brought into the market and for those trade was somewhat active. In hunters, nothing worthy of notice was shown. Near the church, especially in the afternoon, there was a noisy trade going on, the cracking of whips, the shouting of the "knowing ones from Brummagem" and other processes used to make the animals "go" combined with the apparently uncomfortable seat of the riders, making the scene very amusing to the casual observer. Here as in other parts of the village, horses could had for any money, from a £5 note down to figures almost incredible. This part of the business was not concluded until several fights had taken place, chiefly amongst the gypsy fraternity, and the "usually quiet village" had not resumed its usual serenity until a late hour in the evening.

The Shrewsbury Chronicle, June 29th 1866