The day kicked off on a Saturday, the second day for the annual local country fair, the Border Union Show. Preparations included printing priority tickets from the internet, ready for scanning via QR codes, a modern twist to accessing a traditional event. With no preconceived notions of what to expect, the day was set for discovery and meeting friends, taking video content capturing the highlights which we could then upload to our video channel Retirement Reblended.
A Glimpse into the Show’s Diverse Offerings
Donkey Delights: A peaceful lunch break by one of the smaller rings offered a perfect view of the donkey judging. The donkeys were magnificently turned out, obviously enjoying their moment, though some predictably displayed their stubborn nature. It was a treat to see handlers dressed in traditional show wear, complete with skirts, jackets and ladies’ bowler hats, adding to the classic country fair ambiance.
The Buccleuch Hunt Trail Hounds Display: The local hunt, the “Buccleuch Hunt,” made their way into the main ring. Notably, these were trail hounds, following a human scent rather than a fox, a direct consequence of the fox hunting ban. Seeing them out, doing what they naturally do, alongside the hunt riders, offered a compelling display of their training and instinct.
Parade of Champions: The afternoon’s highlight in the main ring was the Parade of the Champion of Champions. This impressive procession featured cattle selected as the top winners within their specific breeds, destined to compete later against other class winners. The attendees were treated to the sight of beautiful, magnificently turned-out animals, including breeds from the local area both male and female. The improving weather, with the sun emerging, further enhanced the spectacle. Among them were a mother and calf alongside Longhorn cattle, which are noted to be growing in local popularity. Aberdeen Angus cattle with their gleaming black coats also followed in the parade.
Goat Antics: The goats followed the cattle in the parade, held simply by collars without halters. Their behaviour was varied; some walked nicely, while others were quite unpredictable, adding a touch of humour and reality to the animal displays.
Agricultural Machinery: Then and Now: The agricultural machinery section was a fascinating journey through time and technology. A clear contrast was evident between the antique or old-style tractors, which were dwarfed by the new, modern-day tractors, showcasing the significant growth and development in farm machinery. We even spotted some grass-cutting equipment that would be useful for their own field, though the hefty price tag of £60,000-£70,000 meant it was a purchase for another day.
The Unexpected Overall Champion: After witnessing the grand parade of magnificent cattle and other animals, the ultimate Champion of Champions this year was surprisingly a white ermine buck rabbit named Bert. This small rabbit was presented to the judge on a table in the middle of the huge ring, demonstrating that sometimes, what catches the judge’s eye can be entirely unexpected.
Photo credit to Phil Wilkinson Photography and Video
A Star Encounter: One of the most exciting and unexpected moments of the day was meeting a TV star. This occurred in the craft marquee area, which featured various crafts from woodwork to jewellery items. Right at the front was a lady selling welded horseshoes and other metalwork, including bowls and household items. We recognised Diane from the TV series “Make It to Market,” available on catch-up services and hosted by Dominic Chinea of “The Repair Shop” fame. An engaging conversation ensued, driven by our own entrepreneurial interest in her journey. Diane was very happy to tell us about how she had taken everything onboard and put into action the mentor’s advice and followed it through. From watching the TV programme, we already knew she had made considerable progress with her business just by taking action. We were so impressed by her work that we purchased a small welded bowl to sit on the fire hearth to hold kindling, a lovely memento of our day.
Reflections on a Fulfilling Day
The day included the obligatory ice cream but it was well deserved after all the walking we had done. We all agreed that the day out had been very enjoyable and discussed plans for a potential return to the show next year. Our strong recommendation is for everyone to support their local farmers and community by visiting country shows, fairs, and fêtes, as they offer truly good day out.
If you would like to watch the video we took of our day, click below to go to our YouTube channel Retirement Reblended to watch the highlights.