Falstone Show 18th August 2012

Okay! I accept I'm just a wee bit behind the times - 3 weeks to be exact (blimey! is that all? seems more like 3 months!) Anyhow, Falstone came and went and a good day was had by all.

The day dawned wet it has to be said, but then why ought it to have been any different to any other day? fortunately it soon passed (the wet stuff, not the day) with the result we were basking in sunshine outside the beer tent in the late afternoon.

 

Sheep penned, rain drops hanging on the pen rails and hoods up, but not for too long.

 

The north country cheviots soon mashed the 'show ring' up

 

with the result that the swaledale cross sheep were judged out of the 'show ring' and shown between the pens, unfortunately the pen they had been standing in was a glaar (muddy mess) which shows by the clart on their fleeces

 

The judging of the Hexham type blackface champion took place in a cleaner 'show ring', courtesy of the scotch blackies who hadn't messed it up too much, or mebbes it was just drier ground.

 

The mule ewe lamb competitors weren't quite so lucky

 

Those hardy souls who turned out without their wellies were in a fine mess!

 

The sheep judging got through, Champion North Country Cheviot seen here with John Dixon of Chirdon.

 

North of England Blackface champion went to Selby Robson of Yatesfield.

 

Swaledale Cross Champion was this tup lamb from Mark Anderson of the Riding

 

John Dixon again with the mule ewe lamb champion. The only photo missing is of Dave Baxter and the Scotch type blackfaced champion, unfortunately camera shake took over and the resulting fuzz is barely recognizable!

 

Dog classes followed on from the sheep, collies, terriers, childrens pets and here one of the hound classes.

 

The industrial tent was stuffed full of 'yummies' - yup! we all know shep likes chocolate and it has to be said I did think this cold sweet looked rather inviting.

 

Tea cosies looking like sheep - what ever next?

 

The poor summer conditions saw the vegetable entries being down in numbers but there were still some outstanding entries

 

even the flowers had managed to hold their heads up high despite the poor weather conditions which they had battled through.

A summary? A cracking good day once again - well done to the committee and supporters for ensuring all went well. Further info will be available at www.falstoneshow.com

Falstone Show 2011

Aye, Falstone show has been and gone for another year. The weather was a worry with the show field only being cleared of it's crop of grass days prior to show date, the morning dawned chilly and overcast and many of us turned up donned in waterproofs. These were soon discarded as the morning improved and Falstone Show found the sun shone down with the sheltered aspect of the show field keeping the wind at bay. Weather wise it was a cracking day.

Falstone Show is always a cracking day, sunshine or not. A sociable event drawing everyone together and for an entrance fee of only £4 it has to be a bargain!

 

The North of England Blackface classes were fiercely contested, here some of the ewe lambs are being judged, being closely inspected and handled by the judge.

 

The judging was delayed for a short while whilst this gimmer was retrieved from the car park. Sheep can get themselves over excited at times, especially if it is their debut at a show and this gimmer was no exception clearing the show ring and heading for the far end of the field, however, she was tracked down and returned to the ring, with many bodies standing guard ready to pounce should she decide to try the sharp exit thing again.

 

The north country cheviot classes were well supported, having been reintroduced to the show last year there were more competitors on hand this year and the classes were strong.

 

The industrial tent was heaving with exhibits, from flowers,knitting,vegetables, booze, photos, artwork..... you name it, there seemed to be a class for it. Apparently entries throughout the show were 50% up on the year previous although it would have seemed less people went through the gate, the show field itself seemed quieter than last year.

 

I couldn't help but photograph these chocolate cakes, they didn't half look tempting.

 

As usual the stick dressers were out in force, hotly contesting the prizes.

 

This stick caught my eye, I have seen many fancy dressed sticks over the years, but never one dressed to represent a curlew, I'm sure you'll agree it is a work of art.

The show day for Shep was an odd one, there seemed little time to get around everything and yet it is a small compact show. I guess the fact we had to depart early didn't help matters and other commitments during the show day would eat away at the time we had.

So why did we have to leave early? Well, we had a concert to attend over towards the coast.

 

Finding ourselves in a field which Shep knows only too well, a field which the ewe hoggs from outbye winter in. Sheep were replaced by people, 1,000's of people at that, it was quite a daunting sight, but what a beautiful setting with Alnwick Castle (the Duke of Northumberlands stronghold) in the background.

 

10cc were the support act, not a band I know too well but they played well, very well in fact. They weren't the reason we were there however, the main act were yet to follow.

Had I been in a concert hall I dare say I would have been feeling claustrophobic, however being out in the fresh air I found myself getting closer and closer to the stage, shoulder to shoulder with strangers, people all around and no room to dance, other than on the spot. I noticed a glow on the faces of those around me, faces glowing orange. I looked skywards and the answer was there

 

the sun was setting and it was reflecting on the faces of those I had found myself in the company of. It was refreshing to know there was life out there, beyond the massing crowds there was something far more familiar to myself - a wide open space.

 

Finally they came on stage. Status Quo. The band we had come to see. Over the years I have been to very few concerts, prefering to enjoy the music 'in peace' rather than in the company of thousands of others. However, in 1986 I went to St James' Park to enjoy Queen in concert with Status Quo as the support group. What a night that was and I have to say 25 years on and Status Quo did not disapoint. It was well worth leaving the show early and standing surrounded by people for hours. I have to say it amused me that the majority of the crowd seemed to be of retirement age, but then the band members are in their 60's now so what could I expect? The end of the night once again saw me looking skywards

 

not shooting stars or meteors but fireworks, a finale that rounded the night of nicely and even better, as we were heading back through town towards the car the heavens opened, not only was the rain refreshing but it was so kind of it to hold off not only for show day but also for an open air concert.