Thousands enjoy Torver fair

Although the sun stayed away, so too did the rain - leaving dry conditions underfoot for the best part of the day.

The outcome was a relief for organisers, who had to cancel the fair for the first time last year becaue of the sodden ground.

The event, held annual against a beautiful backdrop of the Coniston fells and Coniston Old Man, is a typical Cumbrian country fair, with many traditional sports, events and activities on offer, including dog shows, fell running, Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling, childrens' sports. ferret racing and even a horn-blowing competition.

The open fell race, a gruelling run to the summit of Coniston Old Man, attracted a strong field and was won by Ambleside’s Ben Abdelnoor while the ladies’ race was won by Hazel Robinson. There was also a full programme of junior fell races, with prizes for boys and girls in all age groups.

Many Lake District skills were on display including stickmaking, sheepshearing, spinning, weaving, woodcarving, beekeeping, fly tying and taxidermy.

Other attractions included traditional fell ponies, foxhounds and falconry.

Show secretary Alison Bolt said: “It turned out to be a great day, thoroughly enjoyed by everybody. Although the weather was cloudy and it rained earlier in the day, the field dried up in the afternoon ensuring the conditions were good under foot.”

LAKELAND COUNTRY FAIR 2009 RESULTS

STICK SHOW Class 1 Novice Stick or Crook 1. D Hill 2. D Hill 3. D Hill Class 2 Thumbstick 1. B Cannan 2. B Cannan 3. B Cannan Class 3 Lady’s Walking Stick 1. B Cannan 2. B Cannan 3. B Cannan Class 4 Horn Crook 1. B Cannan 2. B Cannan 3. B Cannan Class 5 Ornamental Horn 1. B Cannan 2. B Cannan 3. B Cannan Class 6 Wood Walking Stick 1. B Cannan 2. B Cannan 3. B Cannan Class 7 Wood Crook 1. B Cannan 2. B Cannan 3. B Cannan Class 8 Horn Walking Stick 1. B Cannan 2. B Cannan 3. B Cannan Class 9 Ornamental Wood 1. B Cannan 2. B Cannan 3. B Cannan Champion Stick (for NLF Trophy) : B Cannan Reserve Champion: B Cannan TERRIER SHOW Class 1 Lakeland/Fell Type Pup 1. S & T Robertson (Red) 2. S & T Robertson (Moss) 3. R Mason (Bud) 4. M Cullen (Mollie) Class 2 Border Pup 1. M Cullen (Max) 2. D Gillies (Jake) 3. Shelley (Roxy) 4. K Claxton (Zak) Class 3 Jack Russell Pup 1. R Mason (Mustard) 2. R Musgrove (Patch) 3. J Mitchell (Bo) Champion Pup for Dewhurst Trophy: S & T Robertson (Red) Class 4 Lakeland Dog 1. G Jones (Flyn) 2. unrecorded 3. J Gregory (Tye) 4. J Tyldesley (Tyg) Class 5 Lakeland Bitch 1. S & T Robertson (Mollie) 2. T Notman (Jill) 3. C Armstrong (Bracken) 4. M Eccles (Meg) Best Lakeland Terrier for J Seward Trophy: S Robertson (Mollie) Class 6 Crossbred Dog 1. S & T Robertson (Alfie) 2. M Cullen (Diesel) 3. G Jones (Pickle) 4. M Eccles (Tank) Class 7 Crossbred Bitch 1. M Cullen (Taz) 2. S & T Robertson (Gremmy) 3. G Jones (Bell) 4. S Smith (Nash) Class 8 Border Dog 1. unrecorded 2. T Whittam (Max) 3. D Gillies (Moss) 4. H Wilkinson (Tan) Class 9 Border Bitch 1. A Wilkinson (Tinker) 2. H Wilkinson (Misty) 3. unrecorded 4. L Knotman (Susie) Class 10 Jack Russell Dog 1. R Mason (Bob) 2. G Todhunter (Alfie) 3. J Brain (Dylan) Class 11 Jack Russell Bitch 1. R Mason (Tilly) 2. A Edmondson (Jura) 3. P Edmondson (Whisky) 4. W Higgin (Pip) Class 12 Any other variety Terrier Dog 1. J Brain (Dylan) 2. S Marshall (Kizzy) Class 13 Any other variety Terrier Bitch No entries Champion Terrier (for Championship Trophy and Qualifier for Cumbria Terrier Championship and "Cock of the North" Championship): S & T Robertson (Mollie) Reserve Champion (for Reserve Trophy): S & T Robertson (Alfie) Class 15 Best Pair 1. M Cullen (Diesel & Taz) 2. D Gillies (Moss & Jake) 3. R Mason (Mustard & Bob) 4. D Poole (Riley & Robbie) Class 16 Veteran 1. S & T Robertson (Toddy) 2. S & T Robertson (Gremmy) 3. R Mason (Tilly) 4. I Notman (Spike) Class 17 Child Handler 1. Hope Patterson (Blaze) other placings unrecorded LURCHER SHOW Class 1 Rough Pup 1 S Paterson (Murphy) Class 2 Smooth Pup 1. L Ireland (Jet) Champion Pup (for Tilston Trophy): L Ireland (Jet) Class 3 Rough Dog 24" + under No entries Class 4 Rough Bitch 24" + under 1. C Waugh (Gypsy) Class 5 Smooth Dog 24" + under 1. J Brigg (Jake) Class 6 Smooth Bitch 24" + under 1. N Wilson (Lexie) Class 7 Rough Dog over 24"

1. T Harden (Sprite) Class 8 Rough Bitch over 24"

1. J Crellin (Tess) Class 9 Smooth Dog over 24"

1. C Webb (Ben) Class 10 Smooth Bitch over 24"

1. T McDade (Mist) Class 11 Veteran 1. unrecorded Class 12 Pairs 1. unrecorded Champion Lurcher (for Championship Trophy and Qualifier for "Cock of the North" Championship and Cumbria Lurcher Championship): Trudy McDade (Mist) Reserve Champion (for Reserve Trophy) J Crellin (Tess) FOXHOUND SHOW Class 1 Entered Dog 1. Coniston Briton 2. Melbreak Bellman 3. Coniston Warrior 4. North Lonsdale Bellman Class 2 Unentered Dog 1. North Lonsdale Cragsman 2. Coniston Rooster 3. Melbreak Driver 4. Coniston Ringwood Class 3 Entered Bitch 1. Coniston Remedy 2. Coniston Rascal 3. Coniston Wagtail 4. Melbreak Precious Class 4 Unentered Bitch 1. Coniston Lyric 2. Coniston Rumour 3. Coniston Rydal 4. Coniston Rival Class 5 Couple 1. North Lonsdale Cruiser & Cragsman 2. Coniston Rosy & Rumour 3. unrecorded 4. unrecorded Class 6 Group of Four Hounds (for J Johnston Trophy): 1. Coniston 2. Coniston 3. Melbreak Champion Foxhound (for May Armstrong Memorial Trophy): Coniston Lyric Reserve Champion (for W S Hudson Trophy): North Lonsdale Cragsman BEAGLE SHOW Class 1 Entered Dog 1. Black Combe Bastard 2. Bleasdale Pointer 3. Bleasdale Pollard 4. Bleasdale Wharton Class 2 Unentered Dog 1. Black Combe Viking 2. Bleasdale Brigand 3. Black Combe Banker 4. Bleasdale Bandit Class 3 Entered Bitch 1. Bleasdale Dreamer 2. Black Combe Bashful 3. Black Combe Beauty 4. Black Combe Diamond Class 4 Unentered Bitch 1. Black Combe Twilight 2. Black Combe Vixen 3. Bleasdale Bracelet 4. C Brown - Molly Class 5 Couple 1. Bleasdale Panter & Pollard 2. Black Combe Vixen & Vivid 3. Bleasdale Wharton & Brigand 4. Bleasdale Watchful & Waterman Class 6 Group of Four Hounds (for M & C Carter Trophy) 1. Black Combe Banker, Vanish, Vivid & Vixen 2. Bleasdale Panter, Pollard, Bellman & Wharton 3. Bleasdale Watchful, Waterman, Bramble & Bracelet Champion Beagle (for J Walker Memorial Trophy) Black Combe Viking Reserve Champion (for Torver Trophy) Black Combe Twilight SHEEPDOG SHOW Class 1 Working Sheepdog 1. S Brannen (Bob) 2. S Brannen Jake) 3. Mr Fairbrother (Bob) Class 2 Working Sheepdog Bitch 1. L Barnes (Gill) 2. L Barnes (Jet) Champion Working Sheepdog (for Barclays Bank Trophy): L Barnes (Gill) DOG SHOW Class 1 Dog in Best Condition 1. Emma Curtis (Jellie) Class 2 Best Child Handler 1. Tom (Nala) Class 3 Most Obedient Dog 1. not recorded Class 4 Dog with Waggiest Tail Not recorded Class 5 Best Rescued Dog 1. Bethan (Bob) Class 6 Dog the Judge would most like to take home 1. Not recorded FERRET SHOW Class 1 Working Ferret 1. not recorded Class 2 Polecat Hob 1. E Henderson (Diesel) 2. F Chapman (Woody) Class 3 Polecat Jill 1. E Henderson (Asha) 2. A Joy (Nellie) 3. R Chamberlain (Tuna) 4. not recorded Class 4 Albino Hob 1. not recorded Class 5 Albino Jill 1. not recorded Class 6 Sandy Hob 1. not recorded Class 7 Sandy Jill 1. not recorded Class 8 Coloured Hob 1. not recorded Class 9 Coloured Jill 1. not recorded Class 10 Silver Hob 1. not recorded Class 11 Silver Jill 1. not recorded Class 12 Hob Kit 1. E Henderson (Morgan) 2. E Henderson (Spice) Class 13 Jill Kit 1. A Andrews (Fan) 2. A Andrews (Pandora) 3. R Chamberlain (Delila) 4. H Andrews (Laura) Class 14 Pairs 1. A Andrews (Pandora & Delila) 2. Ruth Chamberlain (Sheila & Tina) 3. R Chamberlain (Scoja & Nibbles) Class 15 Young Handler (for Young Handler Trophy) 1. Ruth Chamberlain 2. Harry 3. A Andrews & Loui Queen Champion Ferret (for Championship Trophy): Elaine Henderson (Diesel) CUMBERLAND & WESTMORLAND WRESTLING Best Costume 1. Ben Brocklebank 2. William Atkinson 3. Megan Gibson Ladies Open 1. Connie Hodgson 2. Hannah Hodgson 3. Megan Gibson Under 12 years 1. Thomas Gibson 2. Sam Wilson 3. George Wilson Under 15 years 1. William Hayhurst 2. William Atkinson 3. Sam Wilson Under 18 years 1. William Hayhurst 2. Joe Thompson 3. Matthew Atkinson 11 1/2 Stone 1. John Harrington 2. William Atkinson 3. Matthew Atkinson 13 Stone 1. Graham Brocklebank 2. John Harrington 3. Matthew Atkinson All Weights 1. Joe Threlfall 2. Thomas Brocklebank 3. John Harrington Winner of Nat West Bank Shield: Joe Threlfall HORN BLOWING COMPETITION Class 1 (16 & under) 1. Michael Burton 2. Mark Wilkinson 3. James Baldwin Class 2 (Ladies) 1. Becky Willis 2. Cathy Graham 3. Laura Birkett Class 3 (Men) 1. Ian Notman 2. Graham Jones 3. Shaun Mason SENIOR FELL RACE 1. Ben Abdelnoor (Ambleside) 54.52 New Record 2. Alastair Dunn (Helm Hill) 55.30 3. Brendon Taylor (Rossendale) 56.51 4. Mike Robinson (Dark Peak) 57.41 5. Paul Cornforth (Borrowdale) 58.27 6. Sam Watson (Wharfedale) 58.48 7Gary Thorpe (Ambleside) 1.00.27 8. Alan Smith (Deeside Runners) 1.00.39 9. Peter Brittleton (Helm Hill) 1.01.15 10 John Dryden (Settle) 1.02.59 1st Lady: Hazel Robinson (Ambleside) 1.09.02 77 ran JUNIOR FELL RACES Under 10 Boys 1. Charlie Lowry 4.44 2. George Holder 4.54 3. Jacob Aubrey 4.56 Under 10 Girls 1. Hebe Shepherd 6.32 2. Nea Weston 6.52 3. Ellie Simmonds 8.48 Under 12 Boys 1. David Goad 12.45 2. Lloyd Davies 12.50 3. Daniel Whitlock 13.30 Under 12 Girls 1. Millie Holder 15.08 Under 14 Boys 1. William Smith 12.00 Under 14 Girls 1. Hannah Bethwaite 13.19 2. Charlotte Smith 16.43 3. Loren Appleyard 17.23 4. Zoe Brain 17.44 Under 16 Boys 1. Mark Brown 13.39 2. Scott Baistow 14.03 Under 16 Girls No runners CHILDRENS SPORTS Ball & Bucket Race 5-6: Morgan Jones 7-8: Sam Chamberlain Obstacle Race 5-6: Annie Lyra 7-8: Jacob Barron 9-11: Tom Walton Running Race 7-8: Sam 9-11: Jacob Albrey DISPLAYS & DEMONSTRATIONS (for Cumbria Tourist Board Trophy) 1. Malhamdale Falconry TRADE STANDS (for Langdale Trophy) 1. Debbie Cannon (Bramble Thyme) 2. Angela Brown (Lakeland Plants) 3. Neil Salisbury (Betty Fold Gallery) 4. Lakeland Land Rover) 5. Howard Heaton (Westmorland Sheepskins) 6. Johnson’s Toffees