THE success of any agricultural show depends on the people behind it.

At this year’s Gilsland Show, that was personified by Haltwhistle’s Marion Sloan, whose 46 entries across the industrial section saw her take home numerous first prizes and four trophies, including the Perpetual Challenge Cup awarded for the exhibitor with the most points in the industrial section.

But Marion said it was not all about winning. She said: “I don’t do it to win. If people didn’t do it, the show would die out.

“I used to come here when I was little, my aunt and uncle worked nearby.

“I only got two and a half hours sleep last night because I was up until two baking!”

Meanwhile, the champion of champions went to Ross and Elaine Pattinson of Temon Farm, Low Row, for their Belgian Blue cow Topside Isla.

The six year old, which has had three calves, won with a calf at foot.

The cattle section was hotly contested this year, with 26 entries.

Committee member Ross said: “I’m pleased to win. She’d won at the Yorkshire Show, so she’d had a good year.

“This is our local show – we farm a mile and a half over the hill. It’s nice to support your local show.”

Reserve champion went to Darren Willey for his Clydesdale, continuing his success at Gilsland over the last three years.

In the sheep section, the Archer family from Carry House, near Wark, took home the Hamish Murray Rosebowl for the overall sheep champion.