Bellingham Show named in The Guardians UK's best country shows

The Bellingham Show has been listed as one the top 10 of the UK's best country shows according to the Guardian.

Northumberland Crow Falcons members Archie Courage, Georgie Courage, Pippa Scott-Harden and Abi Courage at the 2019 Bellingham Show. (Image: NQ)

The Guardian said: "This festival in the village of Bellingham, on the edge of Northumberland national park and half an hour from popular Hexham, is celebrated in Philip Larkin’s 1973 poem Show Saturday.

"It still features the dogs, ponies and sheep mentioned by Larkin, his beer marquee (which is now called the Reivers Return), the “long high tent of growing and making” and his Cumberland wrestling event. Other longstanding traditions include the Northumbrian piping competition and the fell race, while more novel attractions include the Biking Vikings, a group of motorcycle-riding, stilt-walking, pipe- and drum-playing charity Vikings. As Larkin said of the show, “Let it always be there.”

Bellingham Show 2010. Blackface Champion was won by Selby Robson from Otterburn. (Image: NQ)

The show is Saturday, August 26 and tickets are adults £10, children £5.

Showfield opens at 7.00am for Exhibitors and 8.30am to the General Public and will close at 6pm.

Secretary of the Bellingham Show & Country Festival, Sarah Jayne Davidson said:"We are thrilled to be listed as one of the best country shows in the UK. Being named in the list gives a massive boost to the committee members but also the volunteers who have worked hard all year.

"It is brilliantly timed with the upcoming show and we hope to see a lot of people there."

For more information visit bellinghamshow.co.uk

Bellingham Show and Country Festival 2014. Tommy Craggs Tree Sculptor takes a break from his demonstration. (Image: NQ)