Stick Show

GALLOWAY COUNTRY FAIR STICK SHOW 2007

On the morning of the Show, the field wasn’t a pretty sight and we just weren’t sure who was going to turn up, it was so wet – however maybe we just didn’t reckon on how loyal and enthusiastic our dedicated team of competitive Stickmakers have become over the last few years and by 9am they were coming across the field in steady numbers.

207 sticks were staged by just before noon, from as far afield as North Yorkshire and Northern Ireland. Our Judges Arthur Dent from Doune and Stephen Hall from Coleraine took a good couple of hours after that to deliberate their way through an even and high standard entry, before picking a fine stick by Gordon Flintoft from Glaisdale for top honours. Gordon has supported the Show steadfastly since it started and finally got his chance to take home the Clatteringshaws Shield, Dane Love from Cumnock having lifted it every previous year and this year coming a close Reserve.

The Novice Champion was Fiona Dempster from Yarrow whose partner Gavin MacKinlay took the same title in 2006!!!! Gavin strangely forgot to return the trophy from last year, but nothing lost as it was going home to the same house anyway!!! Paul Elborn was only closely pipped at the post by Fiona and came in nice reserve novice Champion – better luck next year Paul.

John Lutton from Dungannon lifted the day’s most fiercely contested trophy, the Galloway Antrim Shield for Best Blackthorn, a very popular result with the show’s Irish enthusiasts who had battled the elements to attend in numbers.

Weather apart it was another fine year of competition and anything the weather let us down with was more than made up for by seeing so many “weel kent faces” and by the help and assistance received , as ever, from Jane, Sarge and their loyal and capable band of helpers.    

Roll on 2008…………….