By GEMMA BROWN gemma.brown@hexham-courant.co.uk

Last updated at 14:24, Friday, 02 October 2009

EXACTLY 120 years since the Upper Redesdale Show Society was founded, the annual event remains an integral part of the Rede Valley calendar.

Title
Author
Copyright

Description

Held in high esteem as one of Northumberland’s best sheep shows, the picturesque setting against the backdrop of the ancient Bremenium Roman Fort and agricultural traditions at the heart of the event, mean it continues to draw crowds year after year.

But it would appear the origins of the small but sturdy show were very different, as chairman of the society Robert Robson recalled.

“The show wasn’t always as we know it today,” Mr Robson said. “I’m sure I’ve heard some of the older committee members mention that it started out as a village picnic with sports competitions.

“From there, of course, over the years it will have evolved, as different people started debating who had the best sheep until they made it official.”

And on Saturday, the 119th show kept to its well-established winning formula and provided everything from sheep dog trials to hay bail rolling competitions to entertain visitors.

The show field at High Rochester, used each year by kind permission of Malcolm Corbett, was bathed in warm autumnal sunshine throughout the afternoon.

Show secretary Ella Shaw said: “We couldn’t have asked for better weather and after all the hard work and planning which goes into the show, it’s lovely to see everything fall into place on the day.”

Mr Robson added: “The comments I’ve heard from people have all been very good, so it seems the show went very well.

“Some have said that it was the best show of sheep entries they’ve seen this year, which is fantastic!”

Event commentary and humour was provided by Hexham and North Marts auctioneer, Chris Armstrong, from Elsdon, who set the tone for an entertaining afternoon.

Judging of the 15 Blackface sheep classes got under way early and the champion titles for both the North of England and Scotch type stayed within the district – despite entries from as far afield as Chatto in the Scottish Borders.

John Carruthers, of Silloans Farm, Rochester won the perpetual challenge cup for the best Scotch type Blackface with a gimmer.

Neil Robson, of Town Shields, Haydon Bridge, took home the silverware for the champion North of England Blackface and the silver tankard for the best woolled sheep with the same ewe lamb.

Meanwhile four-legged animals of the canine variety brought crowds to the centre of the show field as the dog show got under way.

Everything from Border terriers to springer spaniels, and dalmatians to Border collies, took centre stage to be judged by Caroline Martin from Simonburn.

The best Jack Russell, two-year-old Holly, was shown by 10-year-old Lauren Brown, from Bellingham. Owned by Ali Teasdale, from Camptown, Jedburgh, Holly took home the perpetual challenge cup by the late Tom Mackay.

And although a regular in the show’s sheep dog trials, Border collie Rock (2) had never ventured into the main dog show until this year, when he romped home with the collar and lead for the best collie title and a tankard for overall champion in the best collie classes. Owned by Gordon Thompson of Lambshield Farm, Edmundbyers, it would appear that Killie Brae Rock – as his full title goes – has the looks as well as the Border collie skill.

But, by far the most excitable of the winners, was 12-month-old springer spaniel Jasper, owned by Paul Bramley, from Wallsend, who was named best dog in the “any other breeds” class on his show debut.

New for this year, the dogs kept coming as the Wark-based Derwent Oak Companion Dog Club gave a polished performance of tricks and agility to music.

Over in the industrial tent, the children of the North Tyne and Rede schools at Otterburn and Bellingham, submitted an impressive selection of creative entries including paintings and handwriting which made for excellent viewing.

Alongside their handiwork was everything from photographs to fruit cakes waiting to be judged.

With 18 points, there was no stopping Otterburn’s Kathy Scott from making it to double figures for her efforts in the baking and her 10th year of securing the Fanny Rutherford Challenge Plaque for her efforts.

She also scooped the Laurence Corbett Challenge Cup for the most points in the baking classes.

The age-old art of stick dressing was represented in force with entries from across the North-East.

But in the end, former national novice champion and seasoned show-goer Rob Dempster, from Sunderland, won by collecting the most points for his exquisitely crafted entries.

Green-fingered John Davies, from Bellingham, and Jimmy Douglas, from Kelso, also took home trophies after picking up the most points in the flower and vegetable classes respectively.

The event was rounded off with the usual produce auction and annual dance at Rochester Village Hall.

First published at 09:50, Friday, 02 October 2009
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk