Looking back over the years of the Gilsland show

Gilsland Show 1986. (Image: NQ)

Although the Gilsland Show has sadly been cancelled this year due to bad weather, we thought we could cheer everyone up and look back at the successful event from over the years.

The show which is organised with distinction by dedicated local people has been running for 108 years.

The Gilsland Gala and Foal Show Society was formed in 1914 following the demise of the Nether Denton Foal Show.

However, due to the onset of the First World War, the inaugural event did not take place until 1915, with classes for horses, ponies, dogs and sheep.

Gilsland Show 1986 (Image: NQ)

There were also competitions for butter, eggs and bread - as well as running, long jump, wrestling, cup smashing, old penny pitching, and even a pillow fight.

Now run by the Gilsland Agricultural Society, the event has evolved, but the show is still about farming, baking, and country sports and activitites.

The popularity of the horse and pony showing classes led to the need for a separate equestrian show, which was added to the schedule in 1999.

Hop to it; youngster jump for the finish line in the sack race 2016 (Image: NQ)

Galloway and Belted Cattle are among the many attractions at the modern day show.

The Burgh of Langholm Pipe Band perform at Gilsland Show (Image: Paul Norris)

In 2014, the centenary celebrations saw a book about the show‘s past launched by Keith Blood, as well as a DVD, and an exhibition of memorabilia.

The 2019 show was hailed another success, but like many similar events across the district and beyond, it was curtailed by the pandemic in 2020.

Pony Club competitors at Gilsland Show 2019 (Image: Paul Norris)