THE Westmorland County Show enjoyed the Royal touch once again when in 2018 the Countess of Wessex, attended in her new role as president.

The special guest relaxed and chatted to judges and handed out rosettes and trophies to champion breeders.

Chief Executive Christine Knipe gave the Countess a tour of the showground, remarking it was 'wonderful' to have another royal guest, following the visit of the Prince of Wales in 2017.

Around 34,900 showgoers attended the 219th Show at Crooklands, taking in all that Cumbria’s big day out had to offer.

Exceptional examples of breeds wowed the crowds as 30,000 visitors flocked to the annual Westmorland County Show, held at Crooklands near Kendal. One of the largest one day shows in the country, it was voted 2018 Tourism Event of the Year.

That year was big in the livestock section with every pen allocated in the extended area.

The sheep section broke all records with 1,156 entries. The Lowland Terminal Champion went to a home-bred Texel shearling gimmer from Peter Woof, Stainton, whilst Philip Elliott of Grizedale took the honours in the Lowland Non-Terminal section. Supreme Upland Champion was awarded to a North Country Cheviot ram from Tom Bell of Keswick.

The Cattle section, sponsored by Carrs Billington, also boasted near record entries. Hosting the national Aberdeen-Angus Show was a huge honour for Westmorland, with over 60 cattle forward competing for the overall honours.

Travelling from the Isle of Skye, an elated Donald Rankin took the national title with Kilmaluag Eriskay, shown by Carol Rettie, going on to being judged reserve overall beef champion.

There was time for one final championship title for Messrs Jenkinson of Penrith with Whinfellpark Park Glittered taking top honours in the beef section on her last outing before retirement being credited by judge Jeremy Price, Hereford, for her style in the ring.

In the dairy rings, it was James Tomlinson’s Holstein fourth calver, Bilsrow Grafeeti Olympia judged as supreme champion by Wendy Young of York. The Young Handler classes proved popular with exhibitors and visitors alike, attracting a record 54 entries as well as keen competition.

The Pig section, it was the Waltons of Cheshire who took the modern breeds rosette before clinching overall championship with a Duroc gilt.

Holding their national Champion of Champions, there was an excellent turnout of Tamworth pigs, with Andrew Brown taking the overall championship.

Relocating the Goat section to be alongside the Pigs and Alpacas proved very popular providing more ring space for visitors to watch.

The Poultry section also enjoyed record entries with the marquee packed with hens, bantams, game birds, waterfowl and eggs in what Jim Benson, Chief Steward described as “the best show of birds ever at the Show”.

Joe Heeley and his father Paul were delighted with winning the overall championship with their Light Sussex Cockerel.

Enjoying their second year “across the road” the Equine Village was busy throughout the day, also boasting record entries for the Light Horse section with the Supreme Champion awarded to Danii Thexton of Kendal.

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