IN the face of a pandemic that has brought an end to most of the county’s shows and gatherings for 2020, Skelton Show organisers spotted an opportunity to still continue to celebrate the industry.

To mark what would have been their 126th event, the largest village show in the north of England went virtual last weekend to give showgoers the opportunity to take part in some competitive fun.

A schedule of classes was compiled and judges persuaded to pick the winners, with a great selection of prizes waiting to be awards, thanks to spons, and everyone was allowed to enter by sending their photographic entries via Messenger on the Skelton Show Facebook page.

The number of entries nearly hit the 600 mark, with organisers declaring themselves amazed at the response.

Show results came in last Saturday, which would have been show day, and all the class entry photographs were uploaded to Facebook, and the day ended with the announcement of the winners by committee members from the Show Director’s garden, via live Facebook video, which was watched by more than 1,000 people.

Show Director, John Slee said: “What started as a bit of fun, suggested by some of our younger committee members, rapidly captured the imagination of our supporters and proved to be a huge success.

“Whilst it will never replace a real show, it was good that so many people took the time to send us entries. Hopefully, we will be back to normal for the next show on Saturday, July 3 2021”.

Show Chairman Colin Atkinson echoed these sentiments and added “I’d like to extend my thanks to everyone for taking the time and effort to submit entries and well done on the standard of the entries. Thank you too for all the support of the judges and our sponsors.”

He added: “We take pride that Skelton Show is a truly traditional, agricultural and family show and during these difficult times our online show provided the continuity which the community appreciated and to feel included. Truly amazing!!”

Every year show tradition sees the winning heavy horse, beef, sheep and dairy entries stand together to be judged for the prestigious accolade of Agricultural Champion of Champions, and this year was no exception.

The public were invited to like their nominated entry and hundreds of votes saw the Champion of Champion title go to the overall beef winner, Rachael Graham from Miller Hill, near Gilsland. A photograph of the winning animal was shared on Skelton Show Facebook page to a drum roll.

Agriculture has always been at the heart of Skelton Show, and this year was no different with well-turned out animals.

Details of all the class winners can be found on our Skelton Show website homepage.

HORSES:

Heavy Horse: Alan Matear; Hunter Class: Joanne Fisher; Sport Horse: Alex Towler; Show Pony: Lexi McSherry; Ridden Cob: Jacqueline Williamson; Ex Racehorse: Hannah Farrell; Coloured: Catherine Jenkinson; Veteran: Claire Knoery; M&M: Tina and Jim Cockbain; Smallest Ears: Lo Smith; Best Forelock: Lorna Elliott; Oldest Age Combination: David Kerry; Cutest Pony/Rider Combination: Olivia Stockdale. Champion: Catherine Jenkinson, Dodger 2; Reserve Champion: Lexi McSherry, Caithness Bertie Bassett.

CHILDREN’S SECTION WINNERS:

Decorated Plate: Poppy Hewitson; Y2 & Under Picture: Rebecca Jackson; Y2 & Under Poem: Yr 3 & 4 Paint Collage: Lucy Howard; Yr 3 & 4:Handwriting: Isaac Pearson; Yr 5 & 6 Handwritten Poem: Oliver Page; Yr 7 to 11 Painting: Isobel Abbott; Yr 7 to 11 Bowl of Floating Flowers: Alex Brunetti.

INDUSTRIAL:

A Garment In Crochet: Felicity Robson with a shawl and a Homemade Greetings Card; A Small Piece of Origami; Eileen Horsfall, homemade hat with ears.

HORTICULTURE:

Any Window Plant: Alex Brunetti; Collection of Growing Herbs: Lucy Pickford; One Bowl of Floating Flowers: Carol Foster.

PHOTOGRAPHY:

Colour Snapshot: Harriet Holme, Dog; Colour Snapshot: Amy Newberry.

VINTAGE:

TVO Tractor 1919-1952: Richard Birkbeck; Vintage Car: Tom Barr; Commercial Vehicle: Dean Ferguson.

CHILD WITH PET:

With Sheepdog: Clayton and Bud; With Any Other Dog: Stanley and Poppy; With Any Other Pet: Adam and Lottie.

LIVESTOCK:

Cattle Dairy Breeds: Liv Jade Robinson, Gerrard House Farm; Jersey and champion: Claire L Scott, The Raven Family, Skiddaw Governor Coral;

Cattle beef breeds: British Blonde, Sean Mitchell, Hutton Oli; British Blue, Stephen Graham, Miller Hill; Charolais: Sean Mitchell, Allanfauld Aussie; Limousin, S&A Morley; Commercial Cattle, Rachael Graham, Miller Hill. Dairy Young Handler: Millie Young; Beef Young Handler, Sophie Woof; Overall Champion: Rachael Graham; Reserve: Taylor Allison Charlton.

SHEEP:

Bluefaced Leicester: P&A Sowerby; North of England Mules: Philip Elliot; Shetland: Rach Willan, Derwent Flock, Enya of Derwent; Coloured Ryeland: Malcolm Hoggarth, Stardust Xanthos; Any Other Native Breed of Sheep: Rebecca Appleton, Border Leicester; Swaledale, Messrs Cockbain & Sons, Keswick; Suffolk: Lucy Shaw; Texel: Nicholas R Woodmass; Dutch Texel: Ollie Dean; Zwartbles: Anna Quillam.

Champion: P&A Sowerby; Reserve Champion: Nicholas R Woodmass.

Sheep Young Handlers: 10yrs and under: Klara Shaw; 11yrs to 16yrs: Lewis Staley;

Champion Young Handler: Lewis Staley; Reserve: Klara Shaw.

CHAMPIONSHIP: Heavy Horse: Alan Matear; Dairy Breeds: Claire L Scott, The Raven Family; Beef Breeds: Rachael Graham, Miller Hill; Sheep: P&A Sowerby.

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS: Rachael Graham from Miller Hill with her Commercial beef animal. Rachael says: “Nelly won many shows last year with me; she was bred by the Walker family of Skipton and we bought her last February.”