Annual Show 2001

As new members, we had never been to the Northumbria Smallholders Club show before so we were not sure what to expect. We set off with an almost complete family - eldest son, daughter in law, two grandchildren; youngest son was still in bed because it was only 1.30pm

We travelled in convoy, to Ashington, taking the scenic route through Bothal, which has to be one of the most stunning hidden delights anywhere, and duly arrived at Margaret and Dave Jobson's Hawthorn Cottage at New Moor. We swept up the drive and into the yard and I was stunned to find it completely empty... this meant we had got there before Ros!! Then I saw all the signs directing us to 'The Car Park' and drove round to find the field at the back full of thousands of cars ... well lots!

The next three hours were magic! I had no idea just how much variety and talent would be on show and how professionally organised it would be. There were craft exhibits which were quite stunning, ranging from Bob Morgan's amazing Technicolour socks, to a magnificent tapestry, paintings, photographs, dressed sticks, a stunning turned bowl which Margot had made and all sorts of things. In the next shed were the poultry; some really beautiful birds, all of which deserved to win first prize, and the produce section was just brilliant with vegetables and plants and flowers to die for. Our grandson Alexander was particularly impressed with a huge onion which was a certainty for the Guinness Book of Records.

Ina Dent was obviously a professional when it came to selling raffle tickets and had this ability to sneak up on you waving multi coloured books of tickets and wearing a very determined expression. I am not allowed to have money, although Margot lets me look at some from time to time so I wasn't in danger. While I was dodging Ina, the judging was taking place. This was serious stuff and people lowered their voices and crept out of whichever shed the judges were in. We were excited about the wood craft section because Margot had entered her lathe turned bowl. Actually it was the only entry in that section so the competition was not exactly fierce but the betting in the family was that she would get second prize... she came first! I thought I would mention that so she could see her name in print. The judging was made easier this year, I was told, because Rena and Dave Renwick, The Prisoners of Simonburn, were unable to show any of their prize-winning entries, so that gave everyone a chance of winning something

About halfway through the afternoon there was a sudden cry of "VICTUALS" which meant that Derek Wailes had discovered that food was available and there was a dignified hurtle after Mr Wailes, who had surprisingly arrived at the food first; it was a mighty and delicious spread and there was just about everything you could think of.

Then the raffle! There were lots of prizes and Bill Jackson manfully called out the numbers, impervious to the rain which had started to fall. We then proceeded to the auction in the produce shed. This was conducted in inimitable style by George Dent who so impressed my eight year old grandson that when he got home (with the giant onion he had successfully bid for) he informed us that he had decided not to be an archaeologist but an auctioneer, just like George. There was spirited bidding for all sorts of veg, fruit, flowers and things, like a large blue tub which Anthea bid for ferociously, under the impression she was bidding for some gloves. The high point of the auction was the battle for one of Billy Jackson's beautiful dressed sticks. The bidding was fierce and the stick was eventually bought, at an incredible price, by Linda Robson. Everyone enjoyed the look on Peter Robson's face! While the auction was still going on, next door in the poultry shed High Drama was unfolding. Derek Wailes and I were spotted disappearing behind some straw bales! Shock, horror! One of Derek and Maggie's prize game birds had got out of its cage. To anyone who didn't know what was happening, the sight of me kneeling at one end of a hay bale while Derek knelt at the other end saying softly "come on darling, come on", must have been a bit confusing. Anyway we caught the bird and all ended happily.

This was the end of the day and we all had a truly enjoyable time. The work that had gone into making it such a success was tremendous and it was really terrific of Margaret and Dave to have turned over their farm for the show and to have gone to so much trouble to make the day memorable. This was the week when terrible things had happened in America and, certainly as far as I was concerned, the Smallholders Show had lifted my spirits. Just one thing bothers me..... what am I supposed to do with a giant marrow?

J.E.D.