A STRONG show of sheep and bags of entertainment were found in Allendale on Saturday.

Drakes of Hazard took to the main ring at Allendale Agricultural Show at 12pm and 3pm with its sheepdog and duck display team, which brought with it gasps and cheers from the spectators.

The sheep classes were well represented, with M.W. & C.M. Ridley of Shitlington Hall in Wark taking home the overall champion cup for their Blueface Leicester gimmer.

Stephen Ridley said: “I’m really pleased. The gimmer won overall champion here and its mother won overall sheep champion at Bellingham Show last year and it was also part of the best group of three sheep with its mother. They are a really good family and are doing quite well.”

Reserve overall sheep champion went to Caroline Anderson of Wallridge, near Belsay, with her Zwartable shearling gimmer.

She said: “Zwartbles don’t usually do very well in the interbreed, but this year we have seen a few doing well, so they are becoming more recognised. I’m really chuffed.”

And Tynedale’s farmers impressed in the individual classes too, including D. Carr & Son from Highwood Farm at Hexham, who won overall Mule champion with his ewe lamb.

The 33 equine classes ran over three rings throughout the day. Daisy Aitchison, from Sinderhope, took first place in the 2ft 3ins jumping class with her Welsh D x Cob horse Clyde. She said: “I’m really excited – it’s the first thing he’s ever won, so I’m really proud of him.”

The dog show was popular, with the showfield full of friendly canines – some in fancy dress outfits. Tug of War, terrier racing and displays from Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service kept visitors busy, while young and old alike entered their hard work into the classes in the industrial tent.

The tent was packed with home- baked goodies, jams and preserves, handicrafts and photography, and Gail Stephenson, from Allendale, took the rose bowl for the most points in the handicrafts section as well as the Henderson Cup for the most points in the industrial section.

“Things like knitting, I sit and do over the winter, so it’s not too much preparation,” she said. “I like baking and cooking, and now there’s just my husband and I left at home, if I bake, we eat it, and we would just expand! So this is a chance for me to bake guilt free.”

Chairman of the show Mark Short said: “The weather’s not bad at all and there has been a big crowd. The sheep entries across the field have been exceptional – 165 entered from at least 12 different breeds.”