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Another lovely day in prospect as the weatherman predicts a fine day, three years in a row for the Loweswater Show.

Friends Richard and Hilary plus Jo and ourselves meet up for coffee

and then together we set off to the show ground, cameras in hand, for a day out in the valley.

The Show opens at 9.30 am with sheep dog trails and judging of various animal classes. Stall holders were still arriving and the car park

was starting to fill when I called in to place my entries in the Industrial Tent and left a display stand for our calendar on the NSPCC Stall.

When we returned to start our day at the Show, the sheepdog trials were well under way.

Meet the gang . . . Hilary, Ann, Richard and Jo.

The dogs you know already . . . Harry , Dylan and Amber.

Richard is a keen photographer so I get dragged in for a second photo.

Many of the picture you'll see today will be his as he offered me his 'views of the day' to use as I would like.

As the car park started to fill, and the horse boxes arrived, we walked through the first of the commercial stands to arrive at the ringside.

The main ring.

The youngsters are exhibiting at present, with dressage and events for the young ponies and their riders.



Dressed for the part even though the hat looks to belong to her big sister.	The concentration and performance of this youngster was superb.

Dylan and Ollie

One of the nice things about this event

are the number of people (and dogs) you meet.

In the old days these events were valley gatherings

where shepherds met and exchanged sheep that had roamed.

No doubt they were also unofficial "Hiring Fairs" where

labourers were able to meet farmers and discuss the possibility of work.

Today there are possibly as many tourists as there are locals

and it is a great day out to enjoy the old ways of Cumbria.

The trades people are also there

selling that ribbon or that dress that you didn't get to see in the shops.

Shows today are a real mixture of the old and the new.

What is still the case is that you get to meet your friends

and you can enjoy friendly competition, be it in the sheep trails or the

flowers and tray-bakes classes.

One of our first calls was over to the sheep pens where they would be judging the sheep and small animal classes.

Unfortunately since the Foot and Mouth outbreak, the showing of cattle and larger animals has been a problem due to movement restrictions.

Instantly recognizable are the Jacob's Sheep due to their colouring and distinctive horns.



A First it seems for one of the sheep in this pen.	A fine Jacob's ram in the adjacent pen.

The Texels are a relative newcomer to the sheep world.

They are very much a breed developed for their muscle and meat content rather than the wool.

Also included here are the 'Beltex' or Belgian Texels breed . . . to me the Ford Transit of the sheep world . . . square profile and a leg at each corner.

Two young farmers set their sheep up ready for judging.

Two other competitors . . . it is not just young men that take up the farming life.

An expert eye is needed in judging the sheep.

Close up . . . and stand back . . . to appreciate the subtly of the sheep and pick the winner.

Vikki Meadley prepares her Swaledales for showing.

" Which one are you showing Miss Meadley ? . . . "That one over there "

Richard has spotted me talking to her Granddad Keith about the chances for their family's sheep.

A pen of three Swaledales.



Next door are the pens for the Herdwick Sheep . . .	. . . dressed in their classic red colour for The Show.

A pen of four Herdwicks.

Close up and personal through the fence.

Who's looking at who ?

Leaving the sheep and moving on.

The judging is not yet completed but many of the rosettes have already been handed out for the first classes.

From the sheep to the sheep dogs . . .

The area next to the sheep pens is being used for judging the dogs themselves.

"Steady" . . . the sheep dog is keen-eyed even when he waits for the judges attention.



Prize giving . . .	Last year's winner Sam gains a prize again.	. . . and this young dog gains a rosette too.

The Fox Hounds wait their turn for judging.

The judging ring here has a rope around and a table for the red-coated steward to note the results.

Dogs are called to the centre to be judged individually.



The competitions continue . . .	. . . under the watchful eye of the experts.

Cumbria is home to many of the terrier breeds . . . the Border terrier and Lakeland terriers.

They have dog classes for these groups too.

Conveniently sited on the turn of the field is the Beer Tent . . . a great place to meet up with friends.

This is where we found our friends Nick and Sue from Cornwall.

They had travelled up in their camper van and called in to see the Show on their way north, at the start of a couple of weeks in Scotland.

A third retriever (and a fourth out of picture) . . . that must be Sophie and Chris from Lamplugh.

Local retired farmer Chris Todd Sr. and Sarah (erstwhile from the Kirkstile Inn) with her young son who is growing fast.

She has retired from helping in the pub recently due to family commitments.

Music this year from the Cockermouth Mechanics Band . . . as excellent as ever.

Richard spotted the reflections of the show in the polished brass of the waiting euphonium.

The trumpet section leads into the first piece of music.

Inverted and now in use, making music in the hands of its owner.

The inside of the horn reflects the sky in the same way as the outside reflected the grass.

One of the youngest members of the band was expertly playing the drums and percussion instruments.

Another youngster swells the ranks as the music continues.

It is a glorious day for the valley show.

The summer skies have brought out the crowds and all round the activities continue.

Passing the St John's tent I recognise one of the team on duty.

Myself, Jane, Dot and Louise.

By coincidence four of us met up and so gather for a photo . . . all four George Fisher's staff, Dot having recently retired.

Back to the main ring as the fell runners head for the hills.

The adults compete in the fell pony classes . . .

. . . and the 'heavy horses' make a dramatic appearance.

Matching outfits . . . Mare, foal and owner.

Judging in the main ring continues.

After the horse classes the bollards were set out for the carriage driving.

Two very different but still competitive entrants.

Walking around the show ground, we take time to visit the trade stands . . .

Country clothing and colourful wellies for the kids.

Fyne Fish . . . their shop in town is shut on a Sunday and they have set out their weekend stall here on on the field.

How could you not buy lunch from that cheerful face !

Even competition here in Loweswater's 'High Street' for your business.

Main course followed by coffee . . .

. . . with perhaps a dessert of freshly-made doughnuts.

Basket makers weave their trade . . .

. . . making baskets and sculptures to ordain your life or your garden.

It is thirsty work in this sunshine . . . "Must get a swift half of Loweswater Gold before I start work".

The Morris Dancers gave several performances and really brightened the afternoon.

They go by the name of " The Two Headed Sheep".



Energetic dances . . .	. . . and warm clothing on a warm afternoon.

Classic old English traditional dancing is being kept alive by the group.

Richard really picked up on the colourful costumes include the colourful hats.

	The Industrial Tent often confuses visitors. This is not the tent for mechanical engineers, rather it reflects the 'industry' of valley folk and the arts and crafts that they enjoy at home during the year.

This is a highly competitive area and has its own wealth of prizes on offer.

The tent has been closed to the public for a few hours as the judges set to work.

Now the adjudication is complete, the tent is open to the public . . . for everyone to see the results.

" Which one do you like ? "

That's not a Herdwick or a Swaledale . . . but it definitely represent a fine looking sheep.



The Owl scoops the prize for best 'animal from fruit & veg'.	Year 3 to 6 Juniors " Favourite Joke written and illustrated."

Alec and the Rev Sheila and myself of course.

Sheila has been helping judge some of the classes in the Industrial Tent this year.



Moving round to the colourful flowers.	Special prize winner for "best exhibit in Flowers and Plants."



" Four Stems of one Variety"	" One Rose " . . . both Betty and the flower class on show.

" Mixed Garden Flowers in a Jug " . . . chance to run riot with the colours.



In the craft section . . . " A hand made Floor Rug"	. . . Joan Warren's "Article in Fell Wool" held to camera by Judi.

What of Ann and my successes in the competitions ?



Second year running . . . a First for a brown Cob Loaf . . .	. . . and for a photo of "A Village Pub"



A second for "Children with amusing caption"	Not a lot for a second entry of our kids this time.



" We were robbed " . . . other Lemon Curds must have been really special.	I'm a poet . . . and I don't know it !

A picture from our Australian holiday won a prize in the " Trees " section.

Before you go . . . make sure you've bought your raffle tickets.

In traditional Cumbrian . . . the Drawing refers to the 'Drawing of the Raffle'.

As the afternoon draws to a close the Awards are announced and the prizes presented.

Outside the Grand Parade of winners in the main ring is going on.

Just time to walk across and admire the Vintage cars and engines.

Moss Bay Metals are displaying the cube of a scrapped car on the back of the wagon this time.

Hospice at Home have an electric car and a collection tin for their local charity.

This old Navy open Land Rover has been restored like new.

Veteran and Vintage.

The first stationary engines that found their way onto local farms in centuries past.

they were used for pumping water and operating farm equipment.

The owner is loading up his tractors for the drive home.

The band have played their hearts out and make their way back to their cars.

Which leaves the spectacle of one of the later Hound Trail competitions to be run.

- - - o o o - - -

Along the way I seem to have forgotten to photograph or missed the traditional Cumberland Wrestling, the poultry tent, the craft tent,

the children's pets, the fell races, the fancy dress parade, cheeses, the clothing stalls and jam and chutneys.

Still we had a great Show and we're already looking forward to next year's Big Valley Event.

Remember the date . . . the first Sunday in September !

- - - o o o - - -

Technical note: Pictures taken with either Ann's Canon Sureshot SX220,

my Canon 1100D or * Richard's Sony ILCE-7R Digital SLR.

Resized in Photoshop, and built up on a Dreamweaver web builder.

This site best viewed with . . . A Loweswater Show Catalogue for the event times on the day.

Click here for archive pictures from the Shows - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2010 - 2011 - 2012 - 2013 - 2014 - 2015 - 2016 - 2017

Click here for our Loweswatercam Walking and Events Home Page

From our website . . .

Our latest walk - 5th September 2015 - Knott Rigg Ard Crags for the heather

Next walk - 7th September 2015 - Melbreak and a cool dip


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