By Duncan Bick

Last updated at 11:30, Monday, 20 August 2012

Thousands of people braved rain and mud to attend this year’s Gosforth Show.

Ella Williamson, left and Eleanor Graham try one of the dresses from the historical section of the produce tent

The event took place on Saturday with about 1,500 to 2,000 people passing through the gates.

Spectators went in spite of heavy rain, which has resulted in much of the field being covered in mud.

They got to see a selection of livestock from around the area, plus a wide range of other attractions.

Prizes were given out for individual cattle and sheep breeds, with one overall winner in each category.

This year, these prizes were respectively taken by Sarah Edmonson, of Bothel, for her Limousin and Matthew Emmott, based near Braithwaite, for his Swaledale.

A special best in show prize was also given out. This was presented to local man William Longmire, for a British Blue Calf.

Making a reappearance at the show after a long absence were goats. The winner for the best in contest was Rachel Norman of Cockermouth.

Other animals also made an appearance at the event.

Dogs showed off their skills on the traditional obstacle course, while the Whitehaven Bee Club treated the crowd to a performance from their dancing bees.

Horses were another feature of the show, with many entrants turning up on the day to take part in the riding contests.

By the end of the day the sun had come out, giving blue sky as a background for the show’s grand parade.

The industrial tent featured contests including ones for produce and handiwork. Show secretary Julia Watson, 53, said entries were up for these.

Mrs Watson, of Ravenglass, thanked people for turning up and felt the event went well in spite of the rain. She said: “People said that they had enjoyed it, and I didn’t have very much in the way of complaints. You can’t do much about the weather.”

There were also a number of traders at the show, plus music from Egremont Town Band.

Boards were put up around the show field to explain the details of the event to youngsters.

First published at 11:24, Monday, 20 August 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk