THOUSANDS of people of all ages enjoyed a host of rural pursuits at one of the region’s most popular agricultural shows.

The organisers of the 161st Sedgefield Show have hailed the County Durham event a major success, with bright sunshine ensuring large crowds throughout the day.

From the horticultural tent packed with home grown vegetables and flowers to traditional crafts, baking competitions, vintage tractors, dog shows and fairground rides, the event, at Robert Brown Showfield yesterday (Saturday, August 9), was a celebration of country life in all its guises.

As always, the livestock competitions were among the biggest draws and this year entries were up in the majority of categories.

In the horse section, there was an increase of 25 per cent.

Among the many celebrating on the day was Melissa Donaldson, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, who won overall champion in the cattle section with her magnificent British Blonde, Hilltop Flora.

Melissa, 15, said: “We are absolutely thrilled. This is the second year in a row we have won. It is a great achievement.”

Other award winners included: Julie Sedgewick, from Sedgefield, whose Limousin Cross was named commercial champion in the cattle section; Paul Mounter, from Spennymoor, whose goat, Montrue Meru, was named best in show in the dairy goat section; Stuart Blythman, from Bishopton, near Stockton, whose two-year-old Texel was the overall winner in the sheep section; and John Taylor, 84, who received a first prize certificate for his tasty date and walnut loaf.

Aspiring farmer Daniel Martin, 15, from Sedgefield, also got his first taste of success at the show when his two Aberdeen Angus calves secured first and second place in the Young Farmer’s section.

The Sedgefield Community College pupil and his brother, Robert, also won a prize in the vintage tractor section for the best pre-1950 tractor.

Ian Mason, chairman of Sedgefield and District Agricultural and Horticulture Society, which organises the event, said: “It has been a tremendous day and we could not have asked for better weather.

“It was wonderful to see so many people experiencing country traditions. The feedback has been excellent.”

For more stories and a full results round up see Friday’s edition of The Darlington and Stockton Times.

Trophy Winners

Cattle: George Marley Salver, J Sedgewick; Seagrave Trophy, M Donaldson; Silver Challenge Cup, J Sedgewick; Perpetual Cup, J Sedgewick; Robert Brown Bowl, JH Craggs, Ralph Holmes Trophy, L Corner. Sheep: Challenge Cup, S Blythman; Frank Hedley Challenge Cup, S Blythman; Silver Salver, I Curry. Horses: Karita Shield for Supreme Champion, S Coulter; RS Tate Challenge Cup, S Coulter; W McIvor Cup, F Grieves; Morrison Perpetual Challenge Cup, M Surtees; Hunter Breeding Challenge Cup, J Cameron; JW Thompson Trophy, S Welford; Manorian Trophy, L Thompson; Maurice Hogg Senior Memorial Trophy, J Metcalfe; H Howe Trophy for Champion Cob, W Walton; Craven Championship Salver, AJ Prior; Brierdene Challenge Trophy, AJ Prior; Boston Challenge Trophy, S Wallace; Dorothy Arthur Challenge Trophy, Crowe/Dixon; WW Fishburn Classic, Miss Gibbon; Walker Hall Associates Cup, Crowe/Dixon; P Robson Esq Tankard, Crowe/Dixon; Kell Trophy, M Whitfield; W Law Trophy, SM Hall; Tally-Ho Trophy, P Ward; Fieldmaster Trophy, M Dugdale; Erica Williams Trophy, C Matthews; Wheatley Wilson Cup, K&L Wilson. Farm produce: Young Farmers’ Club Cup, I Appleton; Armstrong Richardson Cup, I Appleton. Vintage Tractors: Best Tractor on the Day Trophy, J Barnes; C&B Atkinson Cup: D&R Martin; H&J Walton Memorial Cup, H Longstaff; J Merrington Shield, F Millard. Horticulture. Vegetables: FrankGibson Trophy, A Matthews; Challenge Cup, A Matthews; George Hutchinson Trophy, T Spence, Tim Brown Trophy, A Matthews. Flowers: John Bell Rose Bowl, C Ridley & N Wells, Maurice Nokes Memorial Trophy, T Spence; Maurice Nokes Tray, PG Orley; Frank Stephenson Memorial Rose Bowl, C Ridley; Sylvia Hurwicz Challenge Cup, S Coyle; Challenge Trophy, S Coyle. Home & Handicraft: Molly Bainbridge Perpetual Memorial Cup, C McFarlane; Tom Hopper Perpetual Challenge Trophy, D Tinkler; Shelia Garnet Prize, A Birtle; Paton and Baldwins Shield, S Mc Millan: Doris Allgood Memorial Cup, M Newby; Rowland Swinbank Memorial Cup, Mr McCarthy; Oliver Perpetual Trophy, Sedgefield Young Farmers; CB Hunter Perpetual Trophy, A Flannagan; Rosie Dove Trophy, R Flannagan; Margaret Waller Cup, K Woods.