SUPPORTERS saw a different side to this year’s Cumberland Show sponsors’ evening.

For show organisers arranged more than a nostalgic wander down Memory Lane, when a young Whitehaven dairy farmer gave a first-hand account of his travels to Canada.

Adam Messenger, 25, whose family farm at Moresby, gave a presentation to the major players in the world of farming and business at a launch held at Burnetts offices in Rosehill, Carlisle.

Adam had been chosen by the Cumberland Agricultural Society to receive their Rural Study Travel Scholarship.

This offers the next generation of the county’s local, rural and farming community a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to travel in the UK, Europe or worldwide to learn more about a chosen agricultural subject which would benefit their family business, broaden their horizons, as well as being beneficial to the wider rural farming community.

After a presentation revealing that dairy farmers received a “more substantial price” for their milk than here in the county, Adam thanked organisers for being given what he described as a “life-changing opportunity”.

New chairman for 2019 is farmer and contractor, Michael Nicholson, who said this year’s show would provide serious farming, country crafts, townie business, family fun, food, friendship, and “one or two tweaks”.

Although still more than four months away, country life will once again take centre stage at the truly, traditional showfield at East Park, Brisco, on the outskirts of Carlisle.

The 60-acre rolling countryside, belonging to show stalwarts the Coulthard family, marked the show’s fourth venue since it was first held in 1832, when it moved there two years ago.

The show layout remains the same with all the stands and marquees arranged around the central exhibition ring and nothing too far away.

The home industries section will be accommodated in one large, airy marquee rather than two smaller ones used in the past - giving ample space to display the cakes, walking sticks, jewellery, knitwear, paintings, photography and more.

Although the show is not taking place until Saturday, June 15, schedules are due out any day, and entries for the traditional livestock classes should start to flood in.

This year the show has pulled off a major coup by wining a bid from the Tug of War Association to host the 2019 Tug of War Association English National Outdoor Tug of War Championships.

Tug of war teams from all over England will be taking part in the event, competing for the gold, silver and bronze medals in men’s weight categories, ladies weight categories, and junior weight categories.

There will also be a mixed gender weight class up for grabs, with teams consisting of four men and four ladies each.

Gillian Nicholson, wife of chairman Michael, said: “The show will once again showcase all of the best of the best of local livestock, which are a credit to the farming community.”