THE sun shone for the majority of Falstone’s annual attraction on Saturday, as visitors and locals turned out to support the village’s much-loved show on its 132nd year.

Falstone Border Shepherds Show kicked off on Saturday morning with all of the usual attractions including sheep judging, sheepdog trials, industrial and children’s classes, pony sports and a dog show.

There was plenty of entertainment, as children kept busy with a tug of war, a three legged race and sack race and a climbing wall.

Community spirit shined through as, even when a heavy shower dampened the showground during the mid-afternoon, it did not deter the crowds. Instead, they headed into the industrial tent to admire the crafts and tasty treats, or enjoyed a drink in the packed beer tent.

The sheep classes got off to a good start, with Stuart Robson, of Toft House Farm, Otterburn, being awarded the Robert Anderson Memorial Cup for champion Blackface sheep, with his Hexham-type Blackface ewe lamb.

Meanwhile, David Baxter won the challenge cup for champion Scotch type Blackface. John Finlay, one of the judges for the Scotch-type Blackface class, said: "This is the first time I’ve judged in this show. The standard was very good.

“There wasn’t a huge number of entries but the quality was good - a very worthy winner.”

Nigel Moore of Tarset Hall farm won the challenge cup for the champion Swaledale cross sheep, with his Swaledale cross gimmer.

“She is a home-bred ewe and this is her first outing,” he explained

“For her first time out she’s really cleaned up.

“I come along every year just to support the local show. It’s good to keep bringing them - it wouldn’t be a shepherd show without the sheep.”

And Zoe Hall, of Horsley Hill Farm Cottage in Hawick took home the prize for best Mule in show, while her dog Toby, a Patterdale Terrier, also won first prize in the any other variety class of the dog show.

The dog show was a popular attraction, from the fun classes including ‘dog that looks most like its owner’ and ‘dog with the waggiest tail’ to the competitive classes.

A big attraction at Falstone show is the hound judging, and this year the North Tyne Hunt came out on top with foxhound Lyric.

Shown by Debbie O’Neill, 16 month old Lyric impressed the judges and brought home the champion hound title.

Debbie said: “She won the championship at the Percy Country Dog and Hound show and she got the reserve champion at the Cumberland Farmers Show.

“We’re really pleased. She thoroughly enjoys it, which is the main thing.” Huntsman Andrew Robb added: “We’re over the moon, but we just come to support the show, and whether we win doesn’t matter - it’s just a bonus.”

Sheepdog trials went on throughout the day with Paul Turnbull and his dog Mik coming in first place.

The five-mile fell race kicked off at 2.30pm, and keen runners set off to take on the challenge. First to cross the finish line was 47-year-old Darren Fishwick, who had travelled from Chorley in Lancashire. His time was 38 minutes and 46 seconds.

“It was a lot tougher terrain than I expected,” he said, after finishing the race.

“There were lots of tussocks and holes, but it was a good little fell race.

“We’re actually on holiday for a few days and I tied this in. I have wanted to to it as I’ve never done this one before, and I like to tick different ones off.

“I do a lot of running in the Lake District so I’m used to this sort of terrain, there’s lots of holes so you have to have your wits about you.” Inside the industrial tent, Robin Banks was awarded the cup for most points in the flowers and vegetables classes.

“I have won about three or four years in a row now, but I just put things in because I like to keep the show going.

“It’s all home-grown. It’s a hard job growing anything up here because the weather is so unpredictable!”

Community and family spirit shone through in the industrial tent as exhibitors chatted and admired each other’s crafts.

11-year-old Luciana Armstrong came away with six prizes - a mix of first, second and third place rosettes. Along with her little sister Jessy, Mum Melanie and Dad Mark, the family, who live in Falstone, are regular faces at the show.

Melanie, who picked up several second-place rosettes for her baking, said: “It’s always a full day of preparing and baking with the girls - it’s good fun but chaos.

“The girls really enjoy it and have been doing it with us for years. We like to be as much involved as we can to keep the show going.

“As Jessy always says ‘it’s all about taking part, not about winning’. We just like to support our local show.”