Glorious weather, a record crowd and the high standard of entries all created the perfect atmosphere for a truly memorable Skelton Show. The picturesque location at `Hutton-in-the-Forest’ was the setting the 125th annual show – a very special milestone which was celebrated in style.
As the overnight clouds cleared, the fine sunny weather provided a perfect backdrop as the car parks rapidly filled to see the field come alive. People came from all over the world and the overwhelming response was ‘everybody is so friendly – what a fantastic family day out’.
Competition was intense in the livestock lines with the Agricultural Champion of Champions awarded to N E Slack for his Heifer, Any Breed or Cross (Commercial Cattle) whilst the overall Horse & Pony Championship was won by nine year old Darcie Dhillon and her pony Sandboro Love Child.
Elsewhere on the field, the crowds enjoyed the large industrial marquee, several Dog shows, a record Poultry tent, Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling and the outstanding parade of vintage vehicles – one of the largest at any show.
The revised field layout adopted during the heatwave of 2018, proved popular again with plenty of shade and a gentle breeze being provided for the cattle and sheep. Elsewhere over 200 trade exhibitors displayed a wide variety of their goods. Of particular note was the spectacular and ever growing Taste@Skelton Food Festival with a diverse range of local food and drink available as well as several cookery demonstrations by local chefs, sharing their recipes and culinary tips. The craft and gift tents were very popular as were the wide variety of entertainments on offer.
The Fell Pony Society provided two interesting displays – the first telling the history of our native ponies and the part they played as work horses before the days of mechanization and the second being a musical ride demonstrating the agility of both horse and rider.
The Ullswater Community College Wolves Cheer Leaders, reveling in their recent success in becoming National Champions, gave two fast moving and lively gymnastic displays whilst the Cumberland Farmers Foxhounds paraded their pack and invited children to meet the hounds, which proved very popular.
Finally, the show would not be possible without the support of hundreds of volunteers who give their time freely and sincere thanks to all the committee, stewards, exhibitors and most importantly the public for turning out in their thousands to make our 125th Skelton Show truly special – something that will go down in the record books as one of the best show ever. It truly was a grand day out for all the family!
