A QUICK draining field ensured that the 130th Rusland Show went ahead on Saturday despite it being one of the wettest in recent memory.

Inevitably attendance for the traditional horticultural show and sports day, held on Whitestock Meadow, was down on previous years as visitors endured gale force winds and driving rain.

Declaring that ‘the show must go on,’ president Margaret Postlethwaite praised those who had rallied round to make sure that exhibitors and competitors were not disappointed.

Committee member Colin Barr praised the entries in the horticultural sections, saying they ‘held up well, despite a mixed season of weather’ Pride of place went to Jimmy Athersmith, from Newland, who won the Blue Ribbon for the best horticultural exhibit with an arrangement of dahlias.

In the show district classes, Jean Wilkinson, representing Rusland Hall Gardens, picked up four awards for both flowers and vegetables.

Mrs Postlethwaite gained the most points in the home produce section while Ruth Cooper was the best under-16 exhibitor.

Roderick Smith won the most outstanding exhibit in the home-made wine/liqueurs classes.

The handicraft sections attracted a high standard of entry with Julie Coldwell and Christine Cooper winning awards.

Dennis Wall had an almost clean sweep in the walking stick classes with only Donald Wilkinson providing any serious competition.

Children's entries held up well and the number of first-time entrants was especially pleasing.

Chloe Campbell won the Jim & Susannah Clark Memorial Challenge Cup for the most outstanding children's exhibit.

Other award winners were Hector Meanwell and cousins William and Amy Patterson. Alex Clarke won the challenge to design a flag for the Rusland Show.

Floral art winners were Margaret Harrison, Rebecca Knipe and Elspeth Mason with some inventive and eye-catching entries.

Hilary Collins won the Spring Garden competition and David Archibald won the overall Summer Garden competition, both judged earlier in the year.

In the film-making classes, sponsored by Oxen Park Cinema Club, the under 12 class was won by Rosa Fox Copley and Jessica Charlesworth, the under 16s by Rosie Brooks equal with James Mason, and the 16 and over class by Rachael Farnworth and Jordan Egglestone.

Forty-two competitors ran the five-mile fell race, with Kendal AC’s Paul Dugdale leading home the field by nearly a minute.

His wife, Evelyn, was the first lady home.

Paul also went on to win the short senior fell race with Heidi Murray being the first lady back.

There were a few slips and tumbles in the junior fell races, particularly on the tricky descent, but winners included Oscar Meanwell (under 17s), Jake Shuttleworth (under 14s), and brothers Liam and Ryan Bond, who came first and second in the under 12s.

But the unofficial award for grittiest performance would go to Tom Gibbs who runs for Ambleside. He cycled to the show, came second in the five-mile race, second in the short senior fell race, won the 1,600m and ran in the 800m.

He also cycled home again! The successful hounds in the Hound Trails were Huntsmans Hope, Jenny’s Choice and Lady Helen.

The tug-of-war took place in its traditional slot at the end of the day and was won by a firm-footed team of Lowick Young Farmers overcoming last year’s winners Cartmel YFC.

 

Cups and Trophies


Horticulture. Martin Stokes Challenge Cup, most successful amateur, cut flowers/vegetables: Rusland Hall. T&M Williams Challenge Cup, most successful, pot plants/horticulture: D.W Johnson. 100th Show Challenge Trophy: most successful amateur, vegetables: Rusland Hall. F&E Major Centenary Challenge Cup, most outstanding Flower: J. Athersmith. George Mason Challenge Cup: most outstanding vegetable: Rusland Hall. Fardy Jackson Memorial Challenge Trophy, most successful cut flowers/home produce/handicraft/photography: Margaret Postlethwaite. T.L Threlkeld Challenge Cup, most successful, home produce: Margaret Postlethwaite. Joe Jackson Challenge Cup, most successful, under 16: Ruth Cooper. Satterthwaite Arts & Crafts Challenge Cup, most original, handicraft/painting: Julie Coldwell. Stan Brownlee Cup, most outstanding floral art: Margaret Harrison. Daphne Dickinson Challenge Trophy, U25 Floral Art: Rebecca Knipe. Jim & Susannah Clark Memorial Challenge Cup, most outstanding girl’s exhibit: Chloe Campbell. Watson Centenary Challenge Shield, most outstanding boy’s exhibit: Hector Meanwell. Gordon Wilkinson Trophy, Spring Garden: Hilary Collins. Len Moss Memorial Challenge Trophy, most outstanding photograph: Sue McKinnon. Miss A Taylor Challenge Cup: most outstanding exhibit under 8: William Patterson. Jim Clark Challenge Cup, most outstanding exhibit, under 12: Amy Patterson. Maureen Wenzel Cup, most outstanding, home produce: Roderick. Smith. Anne Robinson Trophy, most outstanding group: The Farnworths. Doreen Dickinson Memorial Trophy, most successful WI member, any institute: Hilary Collins. Dave Barratt Cup, winner, novelty: Clare Farnworth. John Watson Trophy, overall winner, Garden: David Archibald. Rusland Heritage Trophy, item depicting Valley’s heritage: Susan King; Doreen Johnson Millennium Trophy, most successful, Roses: Giles Wingate-Saul; Tommy Lambert Memorial Trophy, best exhibit, Sticks: Dennis Wall. David & Jean Johnson Trophy, reserve best in show, Flowers: Mark Seward. Hannah Wilson Memorial Trophy, most successful competitor, Floral Art, Rebecca Knipe. Marian Parker Memorial Cup, miniature exhibit, Floral Art, Elspeth Mason. Thelma Kellgren Textile Award, any item, Patchwork: Christine Cooper. Jean Lomas Challenge Award, decorated child’s birthday cake: Rusland Hall. Ken Lomas Memorial Trophy, Sweet Peas: Amy Hool. May Lambert Memorial Trophy, four novelty Krispie cakes: Brandon Morton. Blue Ribbon: J. Athersmith. Sports. Mark McGlincy Cup, senior athlete of the day: Tom Gibbs. Graham Wilkinson Cup, junior athlete of the day: Jake Cooper. E.L. Martin Cup, best local junior fell runner: Oscar Meanwell. Rusland Trophy, five mile fell race: Paul Dugdale. R. Harrison Trophy, short fell race, senior: Paul Dugdale. Lawson Trophy, U17 fell race: Oscar Meanwell. R.M Jackson Trophy, U14 fell race: Jake Shuttleworth. Frank Lomas Trophy, U12 fell race: Liam Bond. Matt McMahon Trophy, 200m handicap: David Adams. John Morgan Trophy, 800m handicap: Jake Cooper. Vic Brockbank Trophy, 1600m handicap: Tom Gibbs. Hound Trail. J. Ormandy Trophy, hound trail: Denise Barrow, (Huntsmans Hope). J. Wilkinson Trophy, puppy trail, Jenny Barrow (Jenny’s Choice). E. Smith Trophy, puppy maiden, Wendy & Russel Dawson (Mrs McGregor). Allan Dugdale Memorial Trophy, senior hound, most points: Denise Barrow (Huntsman’s Hope). George Newby Memorial Trophy, puppy with most points for year: Jenny Barrow (Jenny’s Choice).