Held on the 1st Sunday of September each year

in the fields opposite New House Farm, Lorton Valley, Cumbria, UK.

courtesy of the Hope Family of Corn How, Loweswater.

 

It's that time of year again and after poor weather the day before, all eyes are on the sky for an ounce of consideration. 

As it happened the weather was better than forecast and rain coats soon gave way to sun hats as the day progressed.

Everyone and everything is in place for another classic show.

At the start of the morning the field was quite damp but the sunshine and gentle breeze was quickly drying the ground.

Full marks to the army of local volunteers, without whom the show would not be possible.

Why not start with a caption competition ?

" Could you park it over there please . . . you're hurting my foot ! "

Temporary parking arrangements for these guys whilst arrangements are made for the sheep dog trials.

Our initial companion for the day is Hilton who's staying with us for a few days, though we would meet other friends as the day progressed.

A "smile for the camera" elicited two as a lady competitor passes by.

My initial duty of the day done (I helped erect the First Responders's tent)

I leave Les ready to chat to visitors to the Show.

Just along the way the loud hammering of metal on an anvil attracts our attention.

The mechanisation of farms in the early 1900's saw the end to the two blacksmiths in this valley,

but there are still horses about and it is nice to see how technology has adapted to keep this craft alive.

Now for a stroll across the show ground to see the sheep section.

On the way we pass through the parking and exercise area for the horses that have been brought to the Show.

On the field the horse and pony events are already under way and first awards are being made.

Behind the Secretary's tent are the pens of that hold the entrants for the sheep competitions.

In this one Willie Richardson seems to have won a few rosettes for his prize Herdwicks.

Beautifully ruddled . . . dressed to show.

Herdwick classes for the older ladies and gents . . . the real face of experience.

Those rugged and squat features are classic of this mountain breed.

Three gentlemen of . . . Loweswater.

Youngsters looking at youngsters . . . possibly both the same age too.

First year Herdwicks have a much darker coat . . . they go grey with age . . . a bit like us !

A first and second prize for these Texels . . . sturdy looking animals mainly raised for their meat not their wool.

A sheep of a hardy, hornless breed with a heavy fleece, originally developed on the Dutch island of Texel in the province of North Holland.

Shorter and squatter . . . rectangular with a leg at each corner,

the Belgian Texel sheep or 'Beltex' for short . . . shown by Jack Hird.

There were competitions for the best looking dogs in all sorts of classes,

from young to old, fox hounds to shepherd's dogs.

Two regular show-going friends. . . Alec and Margie . . . no prizes for recognising their faces if you're local.

In the main ring, more dogs on show. 

There were classes for the best pet dogs . . .

. . . and a class of best non-canine pets.

This year's entries were a chicken, two hamsters and a horse . . . you try judging that one !

[ The rosettes went to the two smallest entrants . . . the hamsters.]

The heavy horses attracted a good crowd of spectators for their judging.

In the ring at the other end there was a carriage driving competition.

This particular little pont was reputedly 31 years old and still going strong.

Talking to the judge towards the end of the competition.

Hilton managed to catch four photos of the fell racing . . . here the start of the Junior race.

Full of smiles as they set off on the shorter course.

The Seniors race took the competitors out of the field and half way up Hopegill's Dodd and back in about 23 minutes.

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Back over at the ringside, thoughts turn to lunch . . . but perhaps something more savoury.

	- - - o o o - - -   Hilton studying the West Cumbria River's Trust stand.     The oversize O.S. map on the floor made technical sense of local river schemes much clearer to understand.   - - - o o o - - -

Over now to the Poultry tent where they had an excellent display of  . . . yes . . . poultry.

There were competitions for many different classes of birds and also for 'best eggs' too.

Smaller birds . . . pullets as a general term.

Sorry  . . . not a lot of detail as they had their own programme so classes were not detailed in the main show guide.

Photos by Hilton and Ann as they had closed the tent by the time I got there . . . so much going on at the show that you can't always see everything.

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After the morning judging the large 'Industrial Tent' was open to view.

The industrious folk of the valley have been making and baking all week to create their perfect entry for the show.

Competitions for all types of food but also many others, from traditional rug making to computerised promotional posters.

There were photos, pictures, artwork, poems and animals made from fruit and veg . . . to name just a few.

The polythene covers the open food items which is not perfect for photography but better than the old netting of previous years.

That's better . . . a top prize for the best small white loaf.

Jessica Walker did well to produce this "Animal made from fruit and veg".

This competition was for three decorated cupcakes.

We liked this one too.

A classic and very industrious garden on a tin lid.

The adult sections 28 to 32 were for photos . . . here a competition for the best "fungi" photo.

Right up-to-date with a children's competition for "a computer designed poster promoting Cumbria".

Click on the play button to see and hear the sounds of the Cockermouth Mechanics Band

Make sure your you have a glass of Loweswater Gold in hand to create the same effect !

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On the way back across the field we diverted to view the "Vintage Section"

and this "Best in Show" Vanden Plas Princess 1300.

The basic rules is that you must use your strength to unbalance your opponent,

not unclasp your hands and the first to hit the ground is the loser.

Shake hands as you acknowledge your opponent.	Take your positions and . . . fight.

The final of the " All weights " at the end of the day.

A spectacular throw ends the afternoon in good style.

Winners acknowledged. . . prizes awarded . . . officials thanked . . . audience satisfied

. . . and it is all over for this 140th year of the Loweswater Show.

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Also at the Show we were proud to launch the Loweswatercam Calendar 2017   Twelve classic views of the Lake District as featured on Loweswatercam.   If you couldn't make it to the Show click here to order your calendar now, for just £10 a copy (plus post + packaging if required) £1 of every calendar sold goes to support the Air Ambulance and local Mountain Rescue.

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