365 birds, 22 ducks, 128 eggs!

Northumberland County Show was blessed with a rare day of fine weather and attracted a crowd of 25,000 this year. Entry numbers were up across the board for cattle, sheep, alpaca, goats, dressed sticks and competitive home crafts and organisers feel confident about the move to a new site next year at nearby Bywell, having simply outgrown its present site in Corbridge.

"And it was another good year for the 'Feather part of Fur and Feather' with slightly higher entry numbers" reports Northumberland County Show (June 4 2012) poultry section secretary Vicky Pepys. "I like to think that it was because we had four very prestigious judges this year which maybe gave the event a bit more of a competitive edge? We had Mr David Sill of Huddersfield (Chairman of the Poultry Club of Great Britain) judging for True Bantams and Waterfowl, Mr Chris Birtwell of Halifax for Soft Feather, Mr Edward Parkin of Barnard Castle for Hard Feather and Mrs Hazel Sill for Eggs"

Although the judges went their separate specialist ways for much of the morning they came together for the judging of the Gold Star prize card for 'champion' and were unanimous in their choice of 11 year old John Crowther, from Lockerbie with his Black and Red Old English Game male bantam.

"John's bird is in immaculate condition, particularly for this time of year" said Chris Birtwell. 'Birds of this breed have usually started to moult or are looking a little rough around the edges having been in breeding pens for most of the winter but this bird is perfect. He is very very fit".

Different years show the rise and fall in popularity of different breeds. "It's the same across the entire show, some breeds become more fashionable to keep than others" says Vicky. "We had many more Sebright and Pekin bantam entries this time so we'll split it for next year and we've certainly had more Old English Game and large soft feather entries this time".

Although busy writing prize cards and stewarding for the judges "We were all distracted and fascinated watching the meticulous egg judging process" says Vicky.

Judge Mrs Hazel Sill, complete with tiny weighing scales, cotton cloths, a jug of water, a highly developed sense of touch and a keen eye closely examined 185 eggs and 22 yolks and whites (128 entries with some classes of three eggs each) during the course of the morning, as she tested for freshness and noted a desirable smooth, even and flawless finish, looking for a slight bloom on the shell to further denote the freshness.

The winning eggs by Mrs A Taylor of Carlisle , a set of three blue hens eggs in the 'Any Other Colour' class were 'the best that are here' said Mrs Sill "they are very fresh, free from marks and well matched, they are very appealing" she said.

This year's poultry section is the events second season of being a 'regional' rather than 'voucher' show under the Poultry Club of Great Britain ruling, having been upgraded because of the standard and 400+ entries. The judges, in discussion with Peter Christon, the Poultry Club advisor at the show awarded 'very good' marks for the show tent, staging, space, stewarding, parking, loading arrangements and public support, thus recommending that it retain its status as well as noting that the quality of the birds was very high and that it was a very friendly show welcoming and encouraging new exhibitors as much as the poultry show circuit regulars.

It's a proven fact that the show attracts a wide regional audience. "Most of our exhibitors are from the Borders, Cumbria and County Durham, very few are from Northumberland itself" says Vicky "We have a special trophy for 'the exhibitor with the most points from Northumberland'; one of our stalwart supporters David Renwick of Simonburn has won it every year for as long as anybody can remember and guess what he won it again this year! (Best large rare breed male and four egg classes). We want to encourage more Northumbrian entries so he won't get bored, we don't want to lose him!" See full results and pictures on www.northcountyshow.co.uk

Photos

• Best Waterfowl Best Waterfowl
• Junior Handler Junior Handler
• Best Soft Feather Best Soft Feather
• Large Soft Feather Large Soft Feather
• Show Champion Show Champion
• Judge Judge
• Best Eggs Best Eggs
• Egg Judge Egg Judge
• Best Rare Breed Best Rare Breed
• Best Large Hard Feather Best Large Hard Feather
• Judge Judge
• Reserve Best in Show Reserve Best in Show
•  

Poultry Section Results: Northumberland County Show 2012

Show Champion, Will Burdett Best in Show Cup and Poultry Club of Great Britain Gold Star winner John Crowther (age 10 from Lockerbie) with a Black/Red Old English Game Bantam male (also Miniature Hard Feather PC Bronze Star and Best Juvenile Rosette)

Reserve Show Champion, Best Belgian Trophy and Poultry Club Silver Star winner R. Murray (Kelso) with a White D'Anvers male

Best Large Fowl Soft Feather and PC Bronze Star winner J. Robertson (Carnwath) with a Scots Grey male

Best Large Fowl Hard Feather and PC Bronze Star winner P. Christon (Thirsk) with an Indian Game male

Miniature Soft Heavy PC Bronze Star winner J. Benson (Kendal) with a Rhode Island Red male

Miniature Soft Light PC Bronze Star and Best True Bantam winner J. Robertson (Carnwath) with a Scots Grey male

Best Trio PC Bronze Star winner Peter Lumley (Sherburn Village) with an Old English Game Spangle group.

Best Waterfowl PC Bronze Star winner P. Christon (Thirsk) with a male trout coloured Runner Duck

Rare Breed PC Bronze Star winner P+D Storey (Newton Aycliffe) with a Red Saddled Yokohama

Best Large Rare Breed Rosette David Renwick (Simonburn)

Best Australorp Bantam Trophy: DS&V Jarman (Beamish)

Best Sebright Plaque: K. Iredale (Whitehaven)

Best Pekin Plaque: A & J Robertson (Kelso)

Best Sussex Plaque and Best Buff Rock Rosette: B. Slater (Windermere)

Exhibitor with Most Points Residing In Northumberland David Renwick (Simonburn)

Best Junior Handler PC winner Connor Lumley (Sherburn Village)

Best Juvenile Soft Feather Trophy: Thomas Moody (Consett)

Best True Bantam Juvenile: Sarah Crowther (Lockerbie)

Best Eggs PC Bronze Star winner A Taylor (Carlisle) with 3 large blue eggs

Classes

Large Fowl Soft Feather Poultry

Class 1. Any Pure Light or Heavy Breed Male
1 J Robertson (Carnwath) 2 Jim Benson (Kendal) 3 P Christon (Thirsk)

Class 2. Any Pure Light or Heavy Breed Female
1 Karen Leach (Shotley Bridge) 2 Thomas Moody (Ebchester) 3 GD&M Bond (Richmond)

Class 3. Any Colour Silkie Male/Female
12&3 Richard Dickinson (Wigton)

Class 4. Cross Bred Hen or Bantam Male/Female
1 DS&V Jarman (Beamish) 2 R Harding (Darlington) 3 GD&M Bond (Richmond)

Class 5. Rare Breed Male
1 David Renwick (Simonburn) 2 Kevin Bates (Wigtown) 3 J Robertson (Carnwath)

Class 6. Rare Breed Female
1 GD&M Bond (Richmond) 2&3 Aaron Breeze (Darlington)

Large Fowl Hard Feather

Class 7. OEG Any Colour Male
1&2 Robert Waugh (Newburn) 3 Mark Crowther (Lockerbie)

Class 8. OEG Any Colour Female
1&3 Carol Dickinson (Wigton) 2 P Christon (Thirsk)

Class 9. Any Other Variety Male
1 P&D Storey (Newton Aycliffe) 2 P Christon (Thirsk) 3 Nick Williams (Lanchester)

Class 10. Any Other Variety Female
1&2 P Christon (Thirsk) 3 P&D Storey (Newton Aycliffe)

Hard Feather Bantams

Class 11. OEG Spangle Male/Female
1 Carol Dickinson (Wigton) 2 MJ Avey (Annan) 3 Peter Lumley (Sherburn Village)

Class 12. OEG Black Red Male/Clay or Wheaten Female
1 M Crawford (Duns) 2 Michael Pickering (Richmond)

Class 13. OEG Pile Male/Female
1Mr & Mrs Grinham (Bishop Auckland) 2 Andrew Addison (Barnard Castle) 3 Peter Lumley (Sherburn Village)

Class 14. OEG Dark Red Male/Partridge Female
1John Crowther (Lockerbie) 2 Peter Lumley (Sherburn Village) 3 M Wheeler (Wigton)

Class 15. OEG Black/Blue Male/Female
12&3 Mr & Mrs Grinham (Bishop Auckland)

Class 16. Any Other Colour OEG Male/Female
1 MJ Avey (Annan) 2&3 J Rodgers (Tow Law)

Class 17. Any Other Variety (including Modern Game) Male
1 Alfred Sirmond (Sunderland) 2 Robert Waugh (Newburn) 3 John Crowther (Lockerbie)

Class 18. Any Other Variety (including Modern Game) Female
1 Robert Waugh (Newburn) 2 Alfred Sirmond (Sunderland) 3 J Robertson (Carnwath)

Class 19. Asian Breed Male
1&2 P&D Storey (Newton Aycliffe) 3 Nick Williams (Lanchester)

Class 20. Asian Breed Female
1 P&D Storey (Newton Aycliffe) 2 Nick Williams (Lanchester) 3 P Christon (Thirsk)

True Bantams

Class 21. Dutch Male
1 R Brown (Stanley) 2 B Slater (Windermere) 3 Daniel Nixon (Egremont)

Class 22. Dutch Female
1 Andrew Addison (Barnard Castle) 2 R Brown (Stanley) 3 DL Tyson (Egremont)

Class 23. Rosecomb Male
1 A&J Robertson (Kelso) 2 Nick Williams (Lanchester)

Class 24. Rosecomb Female
1 M Wheeler (Wigtown) 2 A&J Robertson (Kelso)

Class 25. Belgian Male
1 RW Murray (Kelso) 2 Arthur Jackson (Lockerbie) 3 Nick Williams (Lanchester)

Class 26. Belgian Female
1Mr & Mrs Grinham (Bishop Auckland) 2&3 RW Murray (Kelso)

Class 27. Sebright Male/Female
1 & 2 K Iredale (Whitehaven) 3 W Wales (Wingate)

Class 28. Pekin Male
1 Jim Benson (Kendal) 2&3 A&J Robertson (Kelso)

Class 29 Pekin Female
1&3 A&J Robertson (Kelso) 2 Jim Benson (Kendal)

Class 30. AOV True Male/Female
1 Mr & Mrs Grinham (Bishop Auckland) 2&3 David Renwick (Simonburn)

Soft Feather Bantams

Class 31. Australorp Male
1&2 DS&V Jarman (Beamish) 3 A&J Robertson (Kelso)

Class 32. Australorp Female
1&3 A&J Robertson (Kelso) 2 Jim Benson (Kendal)

Class 33. RIR Male/Female
12&3 Jim Benson (Kendal)

Class 34. Sussex Male
1 J&J Barry (Wigton) 2 B Slater (Windermere) 3 W Wales (Wingate)

Class 35 Sussex Female
1 B Slater (Windermere) 2 R Harding (Darlington) 3 Michael Pickering (Richmond)

Class 36. Buff Rock Male
1 B Slater (Windermere) 2&3 Alfred Sirmond (Sunderland)

Class 37. Buff Rock Female
1 B Slater (Windermere) 2 Alfred Sirmond (Sunderland)

Class 38. A0C Rock Male/Female
DS&V Jarman (Beamish)

Class 39. Welsummer Male/Female
1&2 K Iredale (Whitehaven)

Class 40. Barnvelder Male/Female
1 J Robertson (Carnwath)

Class 41. AC Self Colour Wyandotte Male/Female
No entries

Class 42. AOC Wyandotte Male
1&2 Les Little (Burnopfield)

Class 43. AOC Wyandotte Female
1&2 Les Little (Burnopfield) 3 Michael Pickering (Richmond)

Class 44. Ancona Male/Female
1&3 J&J Barry (Wigton) 2 J Robertson (Carnwath)

Class 45. Hamburgh Male/Female
12&3 J&A Barron (Wheatley Hill)

Class 46. AC Leghorn Male
No entries

Class 47. AC Leghorn Female
No entries

Class 48. AC Bantam Silkie Male/Female
1&3 J&J Barry (Wigton) 2 W McLaughlin (Greenlaw)

Class 49. AOV S/F Male
1 J Robertson (Carnwath) 2 Kevin Bates (Wigton) 3 C Slater (Windermere)

Class 50 AOV S/F Female
1 RW Murray (Kelso) 2 J Robertson (Carnwath) 3 Susan White (Esh)

Class 51. Rare Breed Male
1&2 P&D Storey (Newton Aycliffe) 3 Pam Tapson (Kelso)

Class 52. Rare Breed Female
1&3 David Renwick (Simonburn) 2 Nick Williams (Lanchester)

Class 53. AV Hard Feather Trio
1 Peter Lumley (Sherburn Village) 2 Robert Waugh (Newburn)

Class 54. AV Soft Feather Trio
1 Alfred Sirmond (Sunderland) 2 GD&M Bond (Richmond) 3 Thomas Moody (Ebchester)

Class 55. AV True Bantam Trio
1 RW Murray (Kelso)

Waterfowl

Class 56. Call Duck
1 Mr & Mrs Grinham (Bishop Auckland) 2 Peter Christon (Thirsk) 3 Jan Ormiston (Acomb)

Class 57. Call Drake
1 Peter Christon (Thirsk) 2 Thomas Moody (Ebchester) 3 Mr & Mrs Grinham (Bishop Auckland)

Class 58. A0V Duck
1 Claire Preston (Cramlington)

Class 59. A0V Drake
1 Thomas Moody (Ebchester)

Class 60. Indian Runner Duck
1&2 Peter Christon (Thirsk) 3 Thomas Moody (Ebchester)

Class 61. Indian Runner Drake
1&2 Peter Christon (Thirsk) 3 Sarah Crowther (Lockerbie)

Junior Section

Class 62, 63, 64 and 66 No entries

Class 65 Hard Feather Bantam AV M/F
1 John Crowther (Lockerbie) 2 Connor Lumley (Sherburn Village)

Class 67 Junior Handler Competition
Connor Lumley (Sherburn Village)

Juvenile Section

Class 68. Large Fowl Soft Feather AV M/F
1&3 Matthew Anderson (Corbridge) 2 Michael Clark (Alnwick)

Class 69. True Bantam AV M/F
1&2 Sarah Crowther (Lockerbie) 3 Daniel Nixon (Egremont)

Class 70. Soft Feather Bantam AV M/F
1 Thomas Moody (Ebchester)

Class 71. Hard Class Feather Bantam AV M/F
No Entries

Class 72. Waterfowl AV M/F
1 Thomas Moody (Ebchester) 2 Sarah Crowther (Lockerbie)

Eggs

Class 73 3 Large White
1&2 Mrs A Taylor (Carlisle) 3 Andrew Beniams (Stocksfield)

Class 74 3 Large Brown
1 R Harding (Darlington) 2 Thomas Moody (Ebchester) 3 Claire Preston (Cramlington)

Class 75 3 Large AOC
1 Mrs A Taylor (Carlisle) 2 R Harding (Darlington) 3 Thomas Moody (Ebchester)

Class 76 1 Large White
1&2 Mrs A Taylor (Carlisle) 3 Andrew Beniams (Stocksfield)

Class 77 1 Large Brown
1&2 Mrs A Taylor (Carlisle) 3 Karen Leach (Consett)

Class 78 1 Large AOC
1 Mrs A Taylor (Carlisle) 2 Rachel Hill (Newcastle upon Tyne) 3 J Robertson (Carnwath)

Class 79 3 Bantam White
1 David Renwick (Simonburn) 2 Mrs A Taylor (Carlisle) 3 Thomas Moody (Ebchester)

Class 80 3 Bantam Brown
1 David Renwick (Simonburn) 2 Mrs A Taylor (Carlisle)

Class 81 3 Bantam AOC
1 Mrs A Taylor (Carlisle) 2 JGW Feggetter (Newcastle upon Tyne) 3 Mrs DCS Tweedie (Jedburgh)

Class 82 1 Bantam White
1 Daniel Nixon (Egremont) 2 Mrs A Taylor (Carlisle) 3 David Renwick (Simonburn)

Class 83 1 Bantam Brown
1 Mrs A Taylor (Carlisle)

Class 84 1 Bantam AOC
1 Mrs A Taylor (Carlisle) 2 J Robertson (Carnwath) 3 JGW Feggetter (Newcastle upon Tyne)

Class 85 1 Large Contents
1 J Robertson (Carnwath) 2 R Harding (Darlington) 3 Andrew Beniams (Stocksfield)

Class 86 1 Bantam Contents
1 Mrs A Taylor (Carlisle) 2 Mrs DCS Tweedie (Jedburgh) 3 JGW Feggetter (Newcastle upon Tyne)

Class 87 3 Waterfowl
1 Claire Preston (Cramlington) 2&3 Mrs A Taylor (Carlisle)

Class 88 1 Waterfowl
1 Jan Ormiston (Acomb) 2 Claire Preston (Cramlington) 3 P Christon (Thirsk)

Class 89 1 Waterfowl Contents
1 Mrs A Taylor (Carlisle) 2 Sarah Crowther (Lockerbie) 3 David Renwick (Simonburn)

Class 90 Decorated Egg: The Queens Jubilee
1 Mrs A Taylor (Carlisle) 2 Connor Lumley (Sherburn Village) 3 Andrew Beniams (Stocksfield)