Eggleston hosts its best show yet

A BELGIAN blue and its calf were named best in show at the 146th annual Eggleston Show.
Moorsley Madam, bred by Paul Brannen, was selected by show stalwart Peter Stubbs and his wife Gladys, ahead of a magnificent texel sheep exhibited by Jeff Teward and L’Di Resta, a hunter horse owned by Julie Cameron.
Beef cattle judge Dylan Townend said of the beast: “She is a good quality, well-bred cow doing a good job of its calf.”
The show, which was founded in 1864, has been described as the biggest and best in its history with increased exhibitor numbers, particularly in the sheep classes.
Show president Geoff Wilson said: “I am very pleased. We are lucky to have a hard-working committee. We have more horses and more sheep, and more commercial cattle this year.”
He added that the success of the show was ensured because it remains agricultural at its core.
Show chairman Graham Wilkinson said: “This is one of our best shows. All the fields are full and the day has been spot-on. This is just a good show all round.”
The show received a much-needed financial boost ahead of this year’s event from the neighbourhood budgets of county councillors Richard Bell and Ted Henderson which went towards buying new equipment, including road signs, trestle tables for the industrial tent, hurdles and sheep pens.
Cllr Bell said it was hugely important to support local agricultural shows, which help boost the profile of farmer’s animals and increases the prices they get at auction.
Cllr Henderson added that it not only supports farmers but the wider community who get a good day out in the fresh air and countryside.
Mr Wilson said the financial support was invaluable, particularly the new sheep pens.
He added: “We are getting more and more sheep and some of the pens have been here from the start [in 1864] by the state of them.”