A HELPING hand from the Braes of Derwent Hunt ensured pony classes made a welcome return to this year’s Blanchland and Hunstanworth Show.

The traditional village event, which takes place each August Bank Holiday Monday, was awash with young riders eager to compete in almost 20 equine classes which had been absent from the schedule in recent years.

“This is the first time in a few years that we’ve managed to run a section,” explained Laura Milne, who was collecting results on the day.

“And it’s really thanks to the Braes of Derwent Hunt who have been so supportive in letting us borrow their jumps and equipment.”

Riders aged 16 and under took part in combination, turn out, jumping and pony sports classes.

Brother and sister team, Brandon (8) and Megan (6) Fort were among the competitors, and were fresh from a day of success at Bellingham Show on Saturday.

Blanchland was blessed with glorious sunshine on Monday and bumper crowds flocked to the picturesque village.

Dwindling entry numbers means the once popular sheep section was axed in time for last year’s event, in favour of a display of rare breeds of the animal, which featured again on Monday.

Among them were distinctive small black Hebridean sheep, owned by Dave and Gilly Tulip, from Hunstanworth.

The couple began keeping the breed around 10 years ago and, thanks to recently becoming caught in a fence, one of their sheep stands out from the flock.

Instead of displaying the usual two or four horns, “Jester” is now left with three.

“We called him Jester because his four horns literally made him look like a court jester,” explained Gilly, who travelled around Scotland with Dave to establish their original flock.

“They’re historically a very old breed and people are really interested to hear about them - and how Jester ended up with three horns!”

Dogs of all shapes and sizes found a place in the popular open terrier show, with some classes acting as qualifiers for the “Cock of the North” Terrier Championship.

Twenty-month-old Lakeland Terrier Rita, owned by Neil Stobbart, from Edmundbyers, showed great promise after winning best and breed and best Lakeland bitch in what was only her second show.

Volunteers from North East Ferret Rescue - which has bases in Prudhoe and Cramlington - were on hand to catch up with those who have helped re-home ferrets across the region. A fun ferret show also attracted over 30 entries on the day.

In a nod to the 90th anniversary of the Winnie the Pooh stories, as well as the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations, Rachel Clark spent six hours carefully decorating a sponge cake to mark both occasions.

Rachel, from Blanchland, said: “Most of the time was spent copying out one of the original maps from the Winnie the Pooh books.

“And I had to remake Piglet at the last minute after the cat decided to eat him!”

Despite the last-minute mishap, Rachel’s handiwork named “90 Glorious Years of Winnie the Pooh and E.R. too”, won her the top honour in the best decorated cake category.

Elsewhere in the industrial tent, Judith Stewart, from Shotley Bridge, was flying the flag for Hexham Bee Keepers Association with her shallow frame honey comb, which won first prize in its class.

“I think what made this one stand out is that it’s been filled right to the edges,” explained Judith, who has kept bees since 1987 and currently has eight hives.

“It’s really heavy too.” Judith’s jars of flower honey were also judged the best in their class.

Shotley Bridge’s Andy Guthrie was among those exhibiting vintage cars and tractors at the show and caught the eye of many visitors with his 1948 Series Field Marshall tractor.

The machine was one of two once owned by Nottingham County Council and is capable of towing an impressive wooden living van, which Andy built from scratch.

The poultry tent welcomed 215 entries of feathered creatures with the striking white plumes of John Corker’s Silkie Pullet helping him to scoop the best in show and best soft-feathered bantam titles.

“Poultry showing is a way of life,” said John, who has travelled from his home near Chester le Street to show at Blanchland for as long as he can remember.

And nine-year-old Cambell Henderson from Birtley, County Durham, proved you’re never to young to start after scooping an array of first, second and third-placed rosettes with his hens and eggs.

Show chairman Bruce Jameson, said: “It’s been a fantastic day. None of it would be possible without the hard work of the committee and volunteers.

“It’s wonderful to see such a good turn-out - the weather really does make all the difference.”