VILLAGERS gathered once again in High Rochester for the annual Upper Redesdale Show, ready to show off their baked goods, handicrafts and livestock.

Thankfully the rain stayed off, ensuring that the communities of the Rede Valley were not put off attending the show last Saturday.

Although compact, the show had plenty going on to keep visitors entertained, with sheep dog trials, sheep judging and categories in baked goods, handicrafts, photography, flowers and jams and chutneys.

There were also children’s categories and sports games in the afternoon, making the show a family-friendly occasion.

Five-year-old Katie Rogerson won the Challenge Plaque girls’ under 9 trophy, while Freddy Chapman (4) picked up the boys’ prize and Emily Morrison (11) won the girls’ under 16 prize.

Freddy’s mum, Laura Chapman, said: “I’ve brought Freddy along since he was a baby and he loves it here.

“It’s lovely to see him winning and it’s such a small and friendly show, it’s good to get as many children involved as possible. Freddy is so happy about winning!”

The high standards in the sheep judging caused the usual friendly competitiveness among entries, with brothers Stephen and Robert Mackay at the heart of it.

Stephen won the trophy for Scotch Blackface Champion with his gimmer while Robert won reserve Scotch Blackface Champion with his ewe.

Stephen, from Dudlees, Otterburn, said: “It’s really nice to have won, but I mainly come here to support the show; winning is just a nice bonus.

“This is a really good sheep show to get involved in. I showed the same sheep here last year as a ewe lamb and she won that as well.

“She’s the best one I have got and has won every time she’s been out.

“It’s always good to have the upper hand over my brother, but it’s all friendly competition!”

Many visitors to the show brought along their dogs, with some taking part in the dog shows held in the afternoon.

Diane Irving won the Perpetual Challenge Cup for best Jack Russell with her dog, Jess.

She said: “We have come along to the show for years, so it’s nice to bring Jess here.

“We have entered Jess in a couple of shows before and she is the third generation Jack Russell we have owned; it’s lovely to see her win.”

While it did not rain, winds swept across the showground, making the tent holding the industrial classes a nice, warm shelter.

Filled with baked goods, flowers, photos and children’s designs, the tent was flooded with colour.

Vera Scott, from Otterburn, won three trophies, including the Fanny Rutherford Challenge Plaque for the most points in classes 1-12.

She said: “I have been coming to the show for years; me and my husband have been married for 52 years and have been coming all that time, so that shows how regular we are here.

“Last year, I won four trophies and I decided I wasn’t going to enter as much this year, but it’s easy to get carried away!

“It takes a lot of hard work and preparation and also puts pressure on for coming years, but coming along to the show is a great way to see people and catch up. Many people come back year after year.”

Show secretary Karen Gaukrodger said: “It has been a really good day and I’m happy with how many people have turned up.

“The weather has been nice, which has been a bonus, and we’re really thankful to everyone who has come along and helped with the show.”