Changing times at the show

A CHAMPION of champions prize is being introduced at Dumfries Show this year for the first time ever. It will be contested in the main ring at 1.30 pm between the overall winners of the dairy, beef, sheep, goats and horses sections. And the job of picking the inaugural winner will go to the respective judges, who will have to reach a joint decision. Show chairman Willie Purdie explained how it’s come about: “We’ve had a show champion trophy which has rotated round the sections but we’ve just never gone as far as having a grand champion of the show. The five judges will judge it, Strictly Come Dancing style.” Mr Purdie is looking forward to his third, and final, year in charge at Park Farm and is pleased it’s a good forecast for Saturday. He said: “If the weather is on our side, it should be a good day. “There’s a real buzz about the showfield this year. We’ve had a real increase in the number of sponsors and trade stands are holding their own at about the 110 mark. “We’ve got 8-900 sheep, a record number; 200 dairy and beef cattle and 300 horses. The home and garden arts entries are at near 1200 and the children’s side of things grows from year to year, which is really good to see.” The show is the largest agricultural event in the area and the organisers are pleased to be hosting three national shows: The Beef Shorthorn National Show, The Beltex Scotland National Show and the Scottish Ryeland Group National Show. All the day’s winners will get their moment in the spotlight during the grand parade of livestock champions in the main ring at 2 pm, where Jan Purdie will present the cups and trophies. Also receiving a presentation will be Bob Carruthers, of Dumfries, who is this year’s recipient of the JM Rome Award. He is being recognised for services to agriculture locally, having just retired after 46 years with Murray’s and Murray’s Farmcare. Apart from animals, there will be a range of attractions and entertainment on the day for all ages and tastes. Trade stands will feature everything from tractors and agricultural implements to cars and renewable energy, as well as toys, children’s entertainment, and everything in between. There will be over 50 stalls in the craft fair, with many offering handmade items; and the food festival tent will host live demonstrations with Future Chef Scottish finalist Amelia Lockhart; local chef Tony Budde, winner of CIS Scottish Educator of the Year; and Nick Morris, of Kirkcudbright’s Station House Cookery School and a BBC Radio 2 regular contributor. The best of the best in home and garden arts will be open to the public to view too, having been judged the previous day. Entertainment wise, there will be camel racing, a motorcycle display team, a pipe band, and an appearance from Dumfries and Stewartry Foxhounds.

Meanwhile, around the field will be Daffy Dill, balloon modellers, shearing demonstrations, Young Farmers competitions, face painting, sessions with the Spinners, Weavers and Dyers in the Fleece Tent; and a vintage machinery display.