GAINFORD Show returned for the first time since 2019, with much good produce on show despite the difficult growing conditions.
Entries in the flower and vegetable sections were down on pre-Covid numbers as growers struggled with the long hot, dry spells of weather.
However, organisers said they were delighted how the village’s children had embraced the show, with a new digital section included for a project which involved Gainford’s Churches Together group, running alongside with the more traditional classes.
Kath Hebden took the trophy for most points in show. She also lifted the silverware for most points in the vegetable classes and had the best pansies on view.
“It’s good to have the show back and I’m pleased to see a lot of people turn out for it,” she said.
Don Eccles picked up cups for best vegetable, a cucumber, while his first placed rose was also judged the best flower – all the more remarkable as he underwent a hip replacement operation just two months ago, which he said had severely restricted his gardening activities.
Show manager Sarah Heslop, whose tea loaf was judged the best cookery exhibit, said: “We have not had as many entries as we would have hoped, but getting more children involved has been great.
“We are really glad to get back to it with the show and it really makes it all worthwhile when you see everybody looking around and getting involved with it.”
Due to maintenance work being carried out at the village primary school, this year’s show was held at the village hall. Trophy winners:
Charge Memorial Trophy for most points in show: Kath Hebden. Jim Ryder Trophy for most points in vegetables: Kath Hebden. Challenge Cup for best vegetable: Don Eccles; Kenyon Cup for best flower: Don Eccles; Miss Brown Trophy for Best Rose: Don Eccles; DS Harris Trophy for best pansies: Kath Hebden; Jefferson Trophy for best pot plant: Carolle Daniels; Silver Cup for best floral art: Carolle Daniels; Silver Cup for best cookery exhibit: Sarah Heslop; WI Home and Country Cup for most points in cookery: Sarah heslop; John Caris Trophy for best children’s cookery exhibit: Amy Heslop; Beryl Avison Shield for most points in children’s cookery: Amy Heslop; Annual Challenge Cup for ladies’ arts and crafts: Barbara McClean; RF Spalding Cup for men’s arts and crafts: Peter Stewart; Fr Stanley Trophy for children’s arts and crafts: Phoebe Grogan; Caton Cup for U7s arts and crafts: Rupert Walton; Goodliffe Trophy for best photo: Christine Ruhstrofer; Foster Cup for most points in children’s classes: Amy Heslop.
![A COUNTY councillor is backing a campaign to get a pedestrian crossing in Staindrop. Frustrated parish councillors in the village summoned their county council representative Cllr George Richardson to their latest meeting to discuss several issues, including the call for a safe way to cross the A688. Earlier this year their request for a crossing was turned down by the county council’s highways officers. Parish council chairman Jonothan Raper described the reasons for the refusal as “spurious” and called on Cllr Richardson to support their campaign. He added: “One of the arguments they made was there is no clear line of desire when they studied the village – well this isn’t a clear line of desire because there isn’t a crossing, people cross whenever they can. “When the lollipop person was there, one of the things I noticed was people would walk all the way down to the lollipop person to cross the road to go to the shop or to go to the school.” He added a problem of parking at the primary school is exacerbated because people are too afraid to walk their children across the road. Cllr Richardson said he had supported previous attempts for a crossing point with the first being made about 15 years ago. He added: “We went fairly well down the road with that and they looked into it. The only recommended place was where the bus stop is and to get the visibility splays, people on the other side of the road would lose their parking. “That didn’t go down well so it just died a death.” Cllr Raper said he suspected the real reason for the officers’ refusal was the cost of installing a crossing. He added that much of the cost could be recovered from savings made on not having to employ a lollipop patrol. Cllr Raper said: “A lollipop person only provides a benefit of crossing for three hours of the day. You are getting 21 extra hours of crossing time [with a pedestrian crossing].” Cllr Richardson said he would raise the issue with the county council’s cabinet member for highways, Cllr John Shuttleworth.](https://teesdalemercury.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/georgeR-120x86.jpg)
