‘A real buzz’ as crowds visit 175th edition of rural event (From The Northern Echo)

‘A real buzz’ as crowds visit 175th edition of rural event

9:37am Monday 16th August 2010 in News By Rachel Wearmouth

PEOPLE from across the region came together on Saturday for an annual show.

Organisers, competitors and visitors hailed the 175th Sedgefield Show, in County Durham, a resounding success.

Visitors flocked to West Park to see goats, bulls, horses and a vintage tractor display, while show jumpers battled it out on the field for rosettes.

Judges handed out points for the best cakes, crafts and photographs in several tents set up on the Robert Brown Showfield.

The South Durham Hunt took part in a display, and a fancy dress parade was one of the afternoon’s highlights.

Owners brought rabbits, pigeons and guinea pigs for competitions.

A flurry of visitors also entered their pet dogs for a race which brought cheers from the crowd.

Rebecca Rawlinson, 24, from Darlington, won a string of prizes with her horse Clarmont Star, and was picked as supreme champion of the show.

“This is the first time my horse has done this well,” she said.

“I’ve been coming to this show for years.

“It is my local show and all the bigger ones have gone – like Durham and Darlington.

“There is a real buzz at Sedgefield.”

The mayor of Sedgefield, councillor Allan Blakemore, handed out rosettes and trophies to the event’s victors.

He said the event raises the profile of the village.

“It brings people from all over the country,” he said.

“The weather has held off for us.

“When you get a dry day like today, we get a better turnout.

“Attendance has been excellent.”

Sedgefield and District Agricultural and Horticultural Society chairman Ian Mason said: “I think we have had a good crowd.

“The trade has been very fast.

“We always want to make sure we have something for everyone – young, old, town, country.

“I think that is the success of the show.”