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Evening Star, Issue 19779, 1 February 1928, Page 3

OVER SIX EEET HIGH, Birmingham Christmas Eat Stock Show, always a popular event, was more than usually spectacular on its opening day, says the London ‘ Daily Mail.’ It had liio heaviest entry in its seventy-live years’ history, and to do'all' the judging in Bingley Hall was impossible. To the unbounded joy of a host of small children, who jostled with ■ the farmers, the cattle were brought into the street and lined up for inspection on a carpet of sawdust. Most of the best beef breeds were exhibited. In the main it was a prime lot of cattle, with many excellent types of skilful feeding. But Bingley Hall sees one contest which is more an entertainment than education. It is for the heaviest beast. Hour were shown exceeding a ton in weight, and one reached 27B r "’t. This was a Inigo blue and white cross-bred Shorthorn belonging to Mr H. H. Wadland, of Banbury, Oxfordshire, by name Big Ben. He is the tallest bullock ever seen standing nearly 6-jft at the shoulder. Much exhibition has caused him to lose weight, for he sealed 'originally a ton and a half.

Ben is a quiet-eyed giant of seven years and a pet with everyone, especially the children at Banbury, where ho shares an orchard with a pigmy cross-bred Dexter named 'Little Ben, who was brought with him to Bingley Hall "to make him feel more at home." These "stable companions" were a source of great interest.