By Isle of Wight Observer
The Island’s traditional Gilten Market will return to the Royal Isle of Wight County Show-ground, on Monday (December 1), with stock judging starting at 10am and the sale beginning at noon.
The Gilten Market is the only livestock market held on the Island, and remains the Island’s Christmas prime stock show. It is also the only Gilten Market anywhere in the British Isles, and it dates back to the 1800s. Always staged a few weeks before Christmas, the event is organised under the patronage of the Island’s current High Sheriff, who changes every year.
A long-standing tradition forms the centrepiece of the day, with the High Sheriff gilding the horns of the winning animal – the Gilten Beast – using gold paint. Prime stock shows, at this time of year, celebrate the best of local produce, showcasing high-quality beef cattle and prime lambs destined for Isle of Wight consumers over the festive season.
The market seeks to encourage the public to buy local and acting as an annual focal point for the rural community.
Event chairman, Matt Legge, said: “Over 40 years since the closure of the Island’s last permanent livestock market, it is great that we are still able to hold the Gilten Market, to celebrate the fantastic standard of livestock that is produced on the Island.
“We are very excited to be hosted at the new county show-ground building, where the event now has a new, long-term home. There is a huge amount of work that goes into this type of event, and it would not be possible without the support of our farming community.”