THIS WAS the scene each September, from 1878 into the 1920s, at the Junction sheep fair outside Crosshills.
September was a favourite month for sheep fairs. There were others at Malsis and Silsden, the latter also dealing in cattle and pigs. Malsis and Junction were held on the same day, but seem to have complemented each other, as waggonettes plied between the two.
The Junction sheep fair was well situated “at the confluence of three very busy roads”, and was convenient for Crosshills railway station, where many farmers used to arrive by train.
The fair was described in 1907 as “one of the most important in this part of Yorkshire”. Most of its 3,000 sheep in 1878 changed hands, although large numbers did not necessarily guarantee good business – most of the 5,000 sheep in 1881 proved unsaleable.
Like many local cattle, horse and sheep fairs, the Junction event fell victim to changing circumstances and the development of regular permanent marts.
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