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BSDA Annual Show at Northumberland County

2019 Show Secretary’s Report

After the record visitor numbers in 2018 we were all hoping for similar weather for the 2019 Northumberland Agricultural Show. Thankfully the weeks leading up to the show were relatively dry and so access and field conditions were very good. For the second time, the Border Stick Dressers show was once again housed within the Northumbrian Crafts marquee and again we were allocated the full gable end of the tent. A good turn out of Committee members on the Sunday had the tables, banners and hurdles arranged within an hour or so.

A rather grey sky greeted us to the field on show day and despite an intermittent drizzle throughout the day the underfoot conditions remained firm. By 10.00 am 15 competitors had benched their 233 declared entries and another dozen or so extras (“I just thought I would bring this extra one or two!”). One slight problem however was that the judges, Mr. and Mrs. Wall had yet to arrive from Langholm. A message soon arrived to say they were indeed on the show field but having entered by a different gate were having difficulty locating the Marquee. Within a few minutes they had managed to find us and the judging got under way.
A very disappointing and indeed worrying aspect of the entries this year was the fact that there were no novice entries and no entries for the ladies. After some two hours of open judging the following results were declared.

Best Stick in Show. (Norman Tulip Cup) S. Bell
Most Points in Show (Rupert Spier Cup) D.Gardner
Best Novice stick (Hugh Devlin Trophy)not competed
Most points by a novice (Perpetual Trophy)not competed
Best stick made by a lady(Ann Collins Trophy)not competed
People’s Choice I Paterson

Having returned from competing in the inaugural 5km “fun run” at this year’s

event, the BSDA Secretary, Mr. Wilf Laidler, gathered everyone together for

the presentations at 4pm. Mrs K. Elliot took a few moment to address the

competitors and complimented all on the standard of entries. The President,

Mr. John Crichton then presented the trophies. With military precision the

sticks were then lifted and our section was dismantled, cleared and stacked

by5pm.

Having returned from competing in the inaugural 5km “fun run” at this year’s event, the BSDA Secretary, Mr. Wilf Laidler, gathered everyone together for the presentations at 4pm. Mrs K. Elliot took a few moment to address the competitors and complimented all on the standard of entries. The President, Mr. John Crichton then presented the trophies. With military precision the sticks were then lifted and our section was dismantled, cleared and stacked by 5pm. My thanks to all BSDA Committee members who helped prepare our section on the Sunday and acted as Stewards on Show day. Once again Bill Gibson arranged and also and manned a demonstration table and also donated prizes to accompany the trophies. I’m also indebted to Sue Stephenson who helped with recording and checking of the results as judging progressed. Thanks also to the judges, Mr. and Mrs. Elliot from Langholm. As show secretary, my job is helped enormously by Members of the Northumbria Show Committee, in particular to their secretary, Judy Willis who keeps all sections on track throughout the year with timely meetings and also to Anthony Crozier, site manager, who arranges for our equipment to be taken, housed and then returned to the Marquee ready for next year’s event. I have no doubt that the banners, tables and hurdles will be waiting for us at 9am on Sunday 24th May 2020. They will be sorted and erected in preparation for the Border Stick Dressers’ Association Show 2020 within the Northumberland County Show on Bank Holiday Monday 25th May 2020. See you there!! Kevin Boyle

Kevin Boyle ( Show Sec. BDSA )