Cumberland Show has one of its best ever turn-outs
Last updated 19:29, Monday, 21 July 2008
The weather may have doomed other county shows on Saturday but the Cumberland Show had one of its best-ever turnouts.
- Slideshow: Cumberland Show in pictures
- Video: watch highlights of the show
Thousands turned out for the annual county spectacle at Rickerby Park to be entertained and to learn more about agriculture and rural life.
Show chairman Alan Irving said: “I think it was one of the best shows we’ve ever had.
“We’ve had the weather, the stock and the people. The main ring entertainment was great and the crowds were 10-deep for most of the afternoon.
“The grand parade of champions was the highlight for me and everyone has commented on the quality of the stock.”
The Lancashire County Show, which should have been held on the same day, was cancelled because of a waterlogged ground but in Carlisle’s Rickerby Park, there was plenty of sunshine between the showers.
In the main ring the Shetland Pony Grand National was fast and furious and drew one of the biggest crowds of the day.
Another crowd favourite were the Young Farmers with their take on One Man and His Dog, which was followed by the Royal Artillery Motorcycle Display Team.
Nick Utting, who was in-charge of entertainment, said: “We always try and give a mix of entertainment with the traditional stuff and the more modern.
“We’ve never seen so many people around the ring while the show is on and this year, everything ran on time.”
There was also falconry, terrier racing, a machinery display and Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling in the ring.
Joe Thompson, of Alston, took the under-15s wrestling trophy and said it was a sport he is passionate about.
He added: “I like doing it to keep the tradition going. You have to have a lot of moves up your sleeve to win.”
Lord Rooker, the Minister for Sustainable Food and Farming and Animal Health, took on a far more nerve-racking role than he’s used to.
He was judging local schools’ Year of Food and Farming models and struggled to pick a winner.
He said: “I think the quality of entries was outstanding. I hate to do judging because there are always more losers than winners. They have all put a lot of work into it and all show that they have got an understanding of where there food comes from.”
Thirteen schools entered and he chose Wiggonby’s design as the winner.
During his visit, the peer wore a Save Border TV badge. Staff from Border had a stand at the show to drum up support for their campaign to save Lookaround.
The Model Farm was another crowd-pleaser with a wide variety of animals and farm equipment on display. As well as Wendy, the ‘Cumberland Pig’ brought back from extinction, there were rare breeds including alpacas and a large black sow with her piglets.
Peter Ryan, chairman of the Rare Breed Society Trust Cumbria support group, said there were more inquiries this year from people wanting to keep rare breeds.
Ian Powley, one of the show organisers, said: “We had an exit poll at the show to find out what people thought and a lot commented on how much more farming focused it was this year.”
At just 14, Laura Potts from Dalston saw off all the adult cooks to win the most points in the baking section in the Industrial Tent.
She also won the Most Outstanding Exhibit award for her traybake. She said: “I never expected to do this well.”
Organisers will announce the exact number of visitors who attended the show later this week.
