After two years away due to the coronavirus pandemic, farmers, exhibitors and visitors were delighted after the Northumberland County Show returned.
The North East's biggest agricultural show went ahead on Friday June 3, instead of its usual bank holiday Monday date, as part of the celebrations for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. It drew thousands of visitors from Northumberland and beyond, with visitors, competitors, traders and volunteers coming from all over the North East - as well as Scotland and Yorkshire.
Run by the Tynedale Agricultural Society and taking place on the grounds of Bywell Hall, the home of Lord and Lady Allendale, people were delighted to get back - especially with the rain holding off for the entire day and much of it spent without a cloud in the sky.
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Mark Scandle, show chairman, said: "I'm feeling a lot of relief and we're glad that we've got the show back on. 2019 was the last show and you don't realise how much you actually look forward to it until you're here. Everyone's walking around with smiles on their faces."
That feeling was echoed by show president, David Carr, who said: "It's amazing to be back, there were times we thought we wouldn't get here. It's just great to see everybody back and the quality of the livestock this year is excellent - they're as high as they've ever been.
"The exhibitors are so pleased to get out, it's just fantastic. I couldn't ask for any better."
Those who attended beacon lighting events across Northumberland on Thursday night could have been forgiven for pessimism when it came to the weather, but thankfully, there was no heavy rain like at 2019's County Show. Mark continued: "Me and my wife have cycled past the showground for the last two years on show day and there hasn't been a cloud in the sky. To get a hat-trick is absolutely brilliant!"
That sun meant that the huge range of stalls, activities and street food rarely had a quiet moment throughout the day. One of the most popular was the giant tortoises, with nine of the creatures in a pen with kids (and grown-ups) able to pet the shelled beasts whilst learning more about them.
There were also alpacas, goats, and falconry displays - while events such as Cumberland Wrestling, Tug of War, and sheep-shearing shows took place outside of the main arena.
The main arena welcomed Newcastle Diamonds speedway team, a parade of hounds and beagles, and vintage tractors. And it also hosted the high point of the day, the Grand Parade, with the Champion of Champions (the best of all animal breeds) chosen.
This year's overall winner was Limousin Cow Upperfrydd-Power, owned by Thor Atkinson, and represented by Steven O'Kane from Newton in North Wales on the day, with a Texel Ginner belong to Jeff Aitken coming a close second, and winning the overall award for best sheep. The overall Light Horse Supreme Champion was Lindeth Talisman ridden by 12-year-old Jennifer Smith Philipson.
Reflecting on Upperfrydd-Power's victory, handler Steven said: "It's amazing, I'm so happy. Everything about him in cattle is the best - the power, the size, the big character.
"His temperament is amazing, my three year old daughter leads him around sometimes!"
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Chairman Mark Scandle, added: "The Limousin was such an impressive beast. You could literally tell as soon as it came around the corner that it was an extraordinary animal, but the sheep wasn't far behind - you couldn't have a better looking sheep but that Limousin was absolutely unbelievable!"
There was a first in the arena too - the first ever rabbit to be up for the Champion of Champions award. Glenna Ford, who brought the Rex Martin Seal into the ring, said: "I wasn't expecting to be in the ring for the Champion of Champions. But he got best in show and now I'm here - it's amazing!"
Despite the joy that visitors, exhibitors and farmers were feeling throughout the day, there was a sombre moment at the show's opening. The Bishop of Berwick, Mark Wroe lead a minute's silence after saying: "Today is a great day to celebrate our county of Northumberland and the Platinum Jubilee.
"Today we celebrate and give thanks to all who work the land for our faming communities and for all we see around us represented here. Today is also a day to remember as we celebrate, and we can't help but remember those who aren't here with us."
And of course, the show, which is the largest of its kind in the North East, is about more than just judging the best animals and watching the huge range of events. Chairman Mark Scandle added: "Shows like the Northumberland show are so important not just for a day out, because you get a lot of people coming out of urban areas who might not understand a whole lot about agriculture and rural areas. This is a vehicle that allows people to understand more about agriculture, food production and without food the country would go very far.
"With everything that's happening at the minute, every food mile counts. If you can produce the best quality food closer to home, then all the better because there are no better farmers than the British when it comes to growing sheep and beef and grains - I'm so proud to be involved with the show."
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