The Whitehaven News September 30, 1869 Aspatria Agricultural Show/Dinner

Aspatria Agricultural Show/Dinner

The Whitehaven News - September 30, 1869

Article Index Aspatria Agricultural Show/Dinner Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 1 of 11        ASPATRIA AGRICULTURAL SHOW On Friday last the inaugural exhibition of the Aspatria Agricultural Society was held in a field called "Noble Croft", situate at the east end of the village, and in many respects it proved a great success.  In the first place, the committee took a bold step, but one in the right direction, in throwing open the show to the United Kingdom; and this had the effect of bringing into competition some of the best animals of the county, whereas if the show had been limited to a narrow compass probably the display would have been meagre, and not at all comparable with what we cannot describe otherwise than as the capital show of yesterday. Unfortunately the weather was not all that could be desired.  Early morning gave signs of a tolerable fine day, but soon the leaden grey clouds began to gather o'er head, and about noon rain fell fitfully.  Later in the day, however, the ominous-looking black clouds gathered into a settled compact mass, and then the rain came down in pretty heavy showers. Though this might in a measure interfere with the enjoyment of visitors, still it cannot be said to have had the effect of lessening the receipts at the gate, for the number of visitors was larger than even the most sanguine promoters of the exhibition could have expected.  The youth and beauty of the neighbourhood turned out to give 'eclat' to the show and encourage the committee in their spirited and praiseworthy enterprise.  The arrangements of the secretary were carried out very efficiently, and we did not hear of a single hitch in the day's proceedings to interfere with the general good humour which prevailed.  Indeed, Mr. Kirkhaugh was uniformly civil and obliging to all; and his attention went a long way in ensuring the success of the exhibition. And now as to the general character of the show.  A rapid glance round the field sufficed to show that there was an excellent display of stock, the short-horns being average, the other breeds of cattle very good; and the horses exceptionally so; while of sheep and pigs the specimens were numerous and first class as to quality. A few of the prize winners deserve special mention.  There were 41 entries under the head of shorthorns.  In the aged bull class, three animals were entered, and they were all forward.  The winner, "Lord Ellendale", a big roan, three years and five months old, is the property of Mr. Scott, of Little Crosthwaite, and also won the third prize at Cockermouth, but was only second at Whitehaven on Thursday.  In the class for bulls under two years of age, first honours were awarded to a nice bull calf, eight months old, the property of Mr. Grave, Mirkholme; while the second ticket was given to a big lump of a bull, a year and eleven months old, the property  of Mr. Highfield, Blencogo.  There was a capital display of cows and heifers in calf or milk, but there was no beating Mr. Jefferson's perfect "Holly Bush", which also won Mr.Paitson's cup for the best animal on the ground.  Mr. Jefferson also took first and second honours for heifers calved in 1868, the winner, "Beautiful", being the same animal that won at Carlisle. The horses were the great attraction, and a finer display has seldom been seen in this county.  In every class the competition was keen, and the judges' discriminating powers were tested to the utmost in awarding the prizes.  However, they succeeded in giving universal satisfaction.  The cart horses were a very good lot throughout.  Coming to saddle horses, we found one of the finest collections we have seen this year.  Mr. Baxter, Broomfield, took first honours in the class for brood mares for saddle with his bay mare which won Mr. Casson's prize at Carlisle last week.  The one-year old colts were a handsome lot, and Sir Wilfrid Lawson's brown colt, which we mentioned last week when it won at Wigton, as a splendid animal full of merit, was again in the fore.  It is by "The Judge" out of a "British Yeoman" mare, out of "Madame", the old prize mare of the late Sir Wilfrid Lawson.  It combines quality with splendid action, and is, taken all in all, the best colt we have seen this year.  Indeed, we are borne out in this conclusion by the judges awarding to it Mr. Fisher's cup for the best animal on the ground.  The other classes of saddle horses were capital.  In the competition for harness brood mares, Mr. Thomas Morton, Longburgh, was first with his big, fine mare, which won at Carlisle and Brampton, but was beat at Penrith.  Passing on to the sweepstakes, we found that most interest was centred here.  Six good looking animals appeared in the ring mounted to compete for the prize for the best horse or mare four years old or upwards for the field or saddle.  The first prize was given to Dr. Mitchell's gray mare, the true type of a hunter,  Mrs. Thirlwall's bay, the winner of Mr. George Moore's prize at Wigton, being only placed second; and one need not be surprised at this, for Dr. Mitchell's grey stripped a more evenly made animal, and was undoubtedly the thorough type of a hunter, whereas Mrs. Thirlwall's big horse is scarcely sound, showing unmistakable signs of curby flocks.  Mr. Watson, Bolton Park, showed a very nice lady's mare in this class; and Mr. Saul, Westnewtown, was forward with his dark chestnut, a good looking animal, but its appearance is rather spoiled by a somewhat mealy coloured mane and tail.  The white blaze down its face, and the two white hind legs, however, improve its looks, but it has rather short quarters, and does not strip as well as one would expect. to be continued............. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Prev - Next >>

 

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