It's that time of year again, when folk in the valley and beyond
look forward to a day on the Show Field here in Loweswater.
Some come for the competitions and prizes, some come for a day
out in the countryside and some,
especially the locals, look forward to a day out with friends
and neighbours.
It's going to be a great day for the weather, as the forecast
is for wall to wall sunshine, warm temperatures and a gentle cooling
breeze.
Everything is in place for a successful day on the field.
- - - o o o - - -
But let me first take you back a day . . . because none of
this happens by magic !
A whole committee of show people and volunteers
organise the tents and the animal enclosures, the classes and
the catering.
We turned out on Saturday when the tents needed
their tables, banners and table cloths.
Out in the field the temporary sheep pens are
being erected ready for the arrival of the animals tomorrow.
Even the 'Glen Tubman Sound' system needs organising
. . . set up and operated nowadays by Glen's son.
- - - o o o - - -
Back to the present and it's Show Day and the
gates are open . . .
|
|
|
|
The Horse
boxes of competitors arrive. |
The sheep trailers of
local farmers deliver their precious cargo. |
The animals are gathered in the pens, here the
Herdwick rams both young and mature.
The Herdwicks have red ruddled coats . . . dressed
their best for the day.
These Texels seem to prefer a more yellow look,
perhaps even tending to orange, a throw back to their native
Holland ?
The goats . . . well they just look good as
they are.
Last minute haircuts make sure they look their
best for the judges this morning.
- - - o o o - - -
The first deadline of the day is to get all
the exhibits into the "Industrial Tent".
We're not talking Heavy Industry but the general
industry of the local people back in their own homes.
The prizes and cups need to be polished, the
tables need to be labelled and made ready.
People bring their exhibits ready for the judging.
" 6 Runner beans, 4 tomatoes or 3 of your
best onions."
On the Rugs, Knitting and Felting section .
. . articles of clothing, artwork and this rather magnificent
felted Herdwick.
|
|
|
|
Your best
- Soft Toy, not knitted - |
An amazing Class 5 -
Article in 3 or 4 ply wool - |
Let's celebrate . . . with a Class 58
Celebration Cake.
No country show would be complete without a
display of three scones - savoury here or plain on the next
table.
Class 48 - six white or coloured Hens Eggs.
. . . and a display of your best Cob Loaves.
Produce of the local hedgerows and orchards
. . . a competition for a Home Made Gin Liqueur.
Some of the many flower displays . . . from
4 single Stems, to Mixed Garden Flowers and a Single Rose.
The marquee is now full and ready for the difficult
job of judging.
- - - o o o - - -
Out on the field, or should I say fields, the
events of the day are already underway.
The Pony Classes are in full swing . . .
The Fell Ponies are being judged.
The next competitors get ready for their time
in the ring.
Turnout of three classes of horses based on
Hand Size.
The Shetland Ponies take time out between events.
Some magnificent Heavy Horses are prepared for
their turn in the ring.
I take the opportunity to venture into the next
field where the "Sheep Dog Trials" are about to begin.
No court of law . . just a field and a group
of sheep for the dogs to 'try' and gather into the final pen.
Ready for his master's instruction.
The sheep are manouvered around the gates and
obstacles that are spread across the field,
then to be gathered into the last pen and the
gate finally closes.
- - - o o o - - -
Back on the Show Field there's a display by
the local Fire Service this year.
Our local Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team have
also come along to show their skills.
On the opposite side of the field is the Vintage
Section . . . with its display of Classes 114 to 118.
Here two beautiful Kensington Minis with posh
seats, walnut interiors and air conditioning . . . nothing like
the basic Mini I had as a lad !
All the way from Lamplugh . . . an American
Lincoln Continental next to a classic Bentley.
|
|
|
|
My eye was
caught by this sleek road car . . . |
. . . a classic Fraser
Nash in British Racing Green. |
The age of the car was reflected in the polished
brass work, yes brass work, of the instruments and dash-board
fittings.
|
|
|
|
All polished
and decorated for the show, this David Brown Tractor. |
Farm engines from the
days before tractors were common. |
They were used as motive power for water pumps, threshers,
blowers, cream churners
and whatever you could invent back in the day.
- - - o o o - - -
All the while the sheep judging had been going on . . .
Prizes hopefully for this grand looking Herdwick.
Prizes and Rosettes are handed out to the winners.
It's not just the pleasure of winning, prize animals have
added value when it comes to breeding and sales.
|
|
|
|
The judges
are busy considering all aspects of the breed. |
. . . and farmers all
aspects of behavior of their charges. |
The crowds were out enjoying these black headed variety of
sheep (sorry don't know every breed).
Hi Roger, I thik the black
faced sheep are Suffolks.
Great phtos and great show,
Bill Wilson in Canada.
[ Thanks Bill, RmH ]
|
These I know are not sheep . . . but are part
of the Goat Classes,
brought to the show ring by both experienced
and novice handlers.
Intent on selling your wares . . . why not take
a stall in the Craft Tent.
The Loweswater
Village Hall display . . . a venue suitable for weddings,
lunches and evening do's . . . Hiley recommended !
Also recommended around lunchtime were the many
stalls offering food and refreshments.
For those with a sweet tooth . . . perhaps a
bag of 4 freshly cooked "doughnuts".
Take away some local produce from the Stanner
Farm stall, or cakes and jam from here, the NSPCC Stand.
A tent full of chairs yesterday . . .
. . . becomes home to the Cockermouth Mechanics
Band today who entertained the crowds
to a rich and varied programme of music.
- - - o o o - - -
The musicians accompanied the
local Church's
"Blessing the Show" service
earlier in the morning.
- - - o o o - - -
This afternoon they entertain
with their own repertoire
from classics to pop.
Click
here for a short 2 minute video of the "Sound
of the Show"
alternatively right click and "open
in a new window"
(Make sure your PC speakers are switched
on)
- - - o o o - - -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- - - o o o - - -
The Junior and Senior Fell races have been started
from the small field on the right
close to New House Barn.
[Sadly no photos]
In the mean time the Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling
got underway in Ring 1 in the main field.
It started with the junior classes
and progressed up through the ages.
- - - o o o - - -
|
|
|
It's all official, a referee and two judges
to adjudicate on the falls.
The Dog Classes had got underway earlier, with
the Pet Dogs in the main field
and the hounds and terriers here in the smaller
dog ring closer to the Beer Tent (not that that was relevant
!)
Always a favourite is the Carriage Driving.
The competitors had to complete the course in
the fastest time, without knocking the tennis balls off the
top of the bollards.
Speed is great, accuracy is even more important.
Often the smaller horses are good at this event
and this young driver had two to contend with.
- - - o o o - - -
There was Hound Trailing advertised from 1pm
so I made my way across the road to the back of the overflow
car park . . .
This class of hound is dedicated to following
scent trails, not foxes.
An aniseed trail had been laid in advance and
the dogs would follow it around this part of the valley.
All lined up and eager to be away . . .
The flag is dropped, the signal given and the
greyer number three makes an excellent start.
|
|
|
|
Across the field following
the scent. |
Out across the fell wall and up onto
the lower slopes of Dodd Fell. |
They will level out and follow the green grassy
band across the face of the fell.
It's a hot day and they'll be working hard today.
Soon all eyes turn to the home straight as the
dogs cross the last but one field.
Welcomed home by enthusiastic owners and a bucket
of their favourite food.
The results are mulled over, even bet upon,
by followers of the sport.
- - - o o o - - -
The winners of several events join the Grand
Parade around the ring, accompanied by the appreciation of the
visitors.
This was a beautifully turned out Fordson Tractor.
This aerodynamic bike could be a BSA, but I'm
quite prepared to be corrected.
Regarding your picture of the
vintage motorbike, on enlarging the picture it looks
like a VELOCET
from the badge on the fuel tank. That's
a bike of my era !
Doug, from the flat landscape
of the Fens at Fridaybridge.
[ Thanks Doug, RmH ]
|
92B was a glorious old SAAB motor car, followed
by the prize-winning Bentley convertible.
- - - o o o - - -
Time to make my way across the field once more,
stopping to talk to friends outside the Fell Falconry display.
|
|
|
|
A Eurasian Eagle Owl (?) in beautifully camouflaged
plumage.
|
The Snowy Owl, ideally coloured for
its natural habitat. |
|
|
The classic local Barn Owl . . . watching every
movement of the people who came over to view.
- - - o o o - - -
Time moves on and I return to the Industrial
Tent, now open after the judging . . . who will be the winners
?
|
- - - o o o - - -
An animal made from a fruit or vegetable
always brings out imagination in the competitors.
The crested cockatoo has been beaten to first place
today
by the simplicity of the Killer Whale !
- - - o o o - - -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A Home Made Wooden Item
. . . a model of Hudson Place farmhouse |
. . . turns out to be a practical
and prize winning Egg Box. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Success in the bread section
for me . . . |
. . . both in the 'machine made' and
the Cob Loaves |
Not such great success in the photos, but the
misty sunrise picture at the top did manage a second prize.
"Photo with Humorous Caption" and
"In My Garden" illicited numerous entries.
- - - o o o - - -
At the end of the afternoon it was time to go and collect
my winnings.
At 25p an entry, it was not the prize money that was
important,
more the taking part and being successful.
- - - o o o - -
|
|
|
|
In the main tent the cups and prizes were awarded,
speeches made and thanks given.
It just remained to draw the Show Raffle and
publish the winners.
There were a large number of prizes from hampers
to vouchers for evening meals at local hotels and pubs . . .
well worth a gamble.
Outside the Young Farmers were still busy organising
Children's Games . . .
And those not still involved in competitions
had time to adjourn to the beer tent for a well earned rest.
I'm sure they must have sold out of Loweswater
Gold by the end of this glorious sunny day.
- - - o o o - - -
Time
to launch of the 2024
Loweswatercam Calendar . . . hot off the press and now
on sale !
|
Now
is your chance to have your favourite
web site pictures
hanging
on your wall all year round
and
to support a good cause.
- - - o o o - - -
" We've
done it again.
We've brought you twelve months of Loweswater
pictures,
Lakeland scenes and your favourite mountain dogs."
Yes
. . . The
2024 Loweswatercam Calendar is
now on sale
- - - o o o - - -
Click
here or on the photos
for
full details of how to buy your copy.
|
|