THE WEARDALE AGRICULTURAL SHOW AT ST JOHN’S CHAPEL
THE 155 th Weardale Agricultural Show held annually at St John’s Chapel was an outstanding success
with something for everyone.
Despite the absence of Stanhope Silver Band after a fifty-year constant run of attendance, which
had threatened to alter the traditional feel of the event, the show went ahead. The hardworking
band of volunteers managed to create a great day out for all the family. Generations of the same
families attended and with all children’s rides free, it helped with the finances and allowed more
money to be spent on the stalls, mostly hand-crafted and hand-made.
The Tea Cup roundabout and the inflatable obstacle course was supplied by W Caris Amusements,
which had clearly been booked and paid for by the show committee but those who worked on the
rides, especially Michelle, went above and beyond to ensure the children enjoyed themselves. The
climbing wall and the huge inflatable slide were free too as well as face-painting and archery.
There was another notable absence, however, of the tea tent, usually manned by the ladies of
the committee and selling home-made bakery items etc. Families who are well used to buying their
food to help the show coffers did not come armed with a picnic and were disappointed, especially
when the hot food vans were much more expensive.
No matter, everything else on the field and around it made up for that with the centre ring in
constant use – dog races and events, Weardale Young Farmers offering all manner of challenges for
the crowd to take part in, Birds of Prey and the Beagles displays and so much more. Horses and dogs
dominated the classes with separate rings around the field. Literally scores of classes from fancy
dress to dog agility with some hard work put in by the organisers and those who run the classes and
the judges whose expertise is not easy to come by.
Of course, it IS an agricultural show and as such the sheep and cattle classes were there too – and
this year, those who exhibit, enter and judge as well as the scores of visitors interested in these farm
animals, had their own bar over in those fields!! Local Alpacas were there too – not in the bar, of
course, but they were an added attraction.
The main bar was in the large marquee at the western end of the field that usually houses the tea
tent and the exhibits – industrial, art and horticultural etc. This year, it was a large bar area with the
lower half being used for cookery demonstration by celebrated chef, Richard Salkeld, aided by
forager cook, Dr Paoi Wilmer. Very interesting and delicious dishes were created by the pair using a
combination of local produce like Pheasant and Partridge as well as black pudding with foraged
plants like nettles! A delightful and tasty combination.
As locals mingled with visitors from farther afield, it was heart-warming to witness old friends
meeting up and new friends being made. Some had travelled a long way to be there and many
simply walked there but no-one came further than Ireshopeburn’s Lisa Marie Dawson who came
from Australia where she has made her home.
Elsewhere on the field, there was the traditional game of quoits with Westgate’s Peter Nattrass
explaining to those younger ones how to play it. Stanhope firefighters were there too with
Firefighter, Adam Heslington, winning the Young Farmer’s activity that involved driving a quad
backwards around hay bale obstacles!
Police and Crime Commissioner, Joy Allen, and her team were in attendance too with a stall
offering all manner of freebies as well as advice from the PCC herself and a Police motorcycle that
many a little boy had his photo taken sitting on. Terry Cruddas was in attendance with his stationary
engines, accompanied by partner, Cath and a lady who had travelled from the Isle of Man with her
husband! Those from near and far enjoyed every minute and especially because the sun shone over
proceedings throughout the day.
The countryside tent was busy with traditional crafting like spinning and hand-made walking
sticks made from local wood and country sports like ferreting, hunting Beagles as well as stalls from
the likes of the churches in the Dale, the Weardale Visitor Network and the Weardale Community
Hospital, manned by the Friends group, including County Councillor Anita Savory, as well as
celebrated local artist, Matthew Ellwood. It was a surprise to find the former Rector of Stanhope,
Rev Philip Greenhalgh, making willow baskets in that marquee too. He is now retired and living
locally with his family.
The Weardale Visitor Network handed over a cheque to the Teesdale and Weardale Search and
Mountain Rescue, which also had a display on the field. They were showing off their quad pod,
which is a clever piece of kit designed especially to lift victims of falls and suchlike to safety. These
volunteers are indispensable in rural areas and they aid the police to find missing persons as part of
their role. In the dales, they are the fourth emergency service without a doubt. But they survive only
by donations from the general public and volunteers never claim expenses so it actually costs them
money to volunteer and save lives. Please support them when and where you can.
Inside the exhibitors’ tent, which appeared much smaller this year but no less astounding when
the visitors viewed the genius creations of local folk. Inside was also the photography competition,
with categories won by prolific snapper, Susan Hutchings from Stanhope as well as the horticultural
section with flowers and veg on show.
In the hand-made garment section, there was an empty space, poignantly dedicated to the
memory of prolific handicrafter, Victoria Taylor, who died earlier this year. Venita Pattison, in charge
of this tent, had also had a cup made in her memory to be competed for. The cup sat alongside one
dedicated to the late Carol Antal from Westgate who was always the life and soul of the craft stalls.
Victoria Taylor won first prize in the handicrafts section two years ago with her ‘Vera’ doll modelled
on the TV detective character. She was delighted but even more so when that doll made its way to
Brenda Blethyn herself.
The traditional Fell Race took place with local Methodist Minister, Rev Bruce, being one of the
contestants along with many other locals and not-so-local too. This year, the course was slightly
longer with a diversion from the usual route but everyone enjoyed the spectacle of watching the
runners in the distance, dwarfed by the fells that surround the showfield, showing their stamina.
The vintage car section and the motorcycle display was another popular attraction, as were the
tractors – both vintage and modern. All the while, the dry stone walling competition continued
throughout the day with several contestants vying for the trophy. Many hours later after careful
judging by the experts from the Dry Stone Walling Association, it was revealed that the only female
contestant had won first prize. Tasha Byrne was delighted with the win and her fellow, male
competitors, applauded her sincerely.
All-in-all, the 155 th show was an amazing success, enjoyable for attenders of all ages and
interests. Well done to you all …but next year, can we have Stanhope Silver Band back, please? That
would be the cherry on the top.
