Champion show at Bunessan

A working Collie dog was crowned champion of champions at Bunessan Show - for the first time in living memory.

 

"attachment_998932" "" "300"] Sparky the working Collie is Bunessan Show's 2023 Champion of Champions, pictured here with owner John Cameron
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Seven-year-old smooth haired Sparky took the title on a day off from work duties at Number 1 Croft, Knockvologan, much to owner John Cameron's delight.

 

And a Ukrainian family scooped the best vegetables in show award in a poignant win over adversity.

 

"attachment_998938" "" "300"] Best exhibit in the vegetable class went to Ukrainian family lawyer Tamara Kudashova, her husband Serhii and her midwife mother Tetiyana Bikmayeva, who fled Mariupol and are enjoying a new life on Mull
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Lawyer Tamara Kudashova, her husband Serhii and her midwife mother Tetiyana Bikmayeva, fled Mariupol and arrived in Mull with nothing nine months ago.

 

The family-of-six were given a place to live at Auchinahard Farm near Bunessan where they have been growing vegetables on a plot of land and in a greenhouse - from eggplants and peppers to turnips and beans, selling produce from an honesty box.

 

Tamara said: "We arrived with nothing but Mull people brought us clothes, food, everything we needed and with smiles, and gave us the opportunity to start a new life. They are amazing, especially Hamish who gave us a place to live on his farm.

 

"We are so lucky to be here. We love the green of the nature, the blue of the sea but most of all we love the kind humans."

 

Show secretary Lynda MacCallum said the event was a huge success, with more sheep entries than they have had in years.

 

"attachment_998941" "" "300"] Bunessan Show 2023 saw the biggest number of sheep entries in years
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"It's the first time in living memory of the show that we've had a dog win champion of champion.

 

"attachment_998968" "" "300"] Mull Highland dancers entertained at Bunessan Show
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"The crowd turnout increases every year. We'd like to thank everyone who came along."

 

"attachment_998974" "" "300"] Catriona and Will Noble of Creich with their winner in the cross cattle section
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Primitive sheep breed judge Rob Coope from Appin praised the standard in his section - and the show overall.

 

"attachment_998983" "" "300"] Angus macColl from Fanmore with his champion Texel and helper Alexander Quinn
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"It's a great show, small and friendly and very real," he said.

 

"attachment_998977" "" "300"] Overall cattle champion was an in-calf two-year-old Beef Shorthorn owned by Kerrie MacGillivray from Pennygown Farm
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Former children's social worker Rob Claxton-Ingham, who moved to a croft near Bunessan three years ago from North Yorkshire said: "It's a champion show." Rob's Hebridean sheep entry took primitive breed champion.

 

"attachment_998947" "" "300"] Former children's social worker Rob Claxton-Ingham's Hebridean sheep entry took primitive breed champion
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Over in the beer tent, seven-year-old Angus MacDonald from Tobermory had such fun singing Kishorn Commandos at last year's show that he did it all over again - accompanying band Treshnish to a big round of applause.

 

"attachment_998962" "" "300"] Angus MacDonald from Tobermory singing Kishorn Commandos with Treshnish
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Mull Highland Dancers put on a good display on show day under the expert eye of their tutor Sherryl Peter, Mull & Iona Pipe band also entertained the crowd.

 

"attachment_998989" "" "300"] Orlaith palmer and Emily Cameron, both aged six, with their prize-winning handicrafts
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"attachment_998950" "" "300"] Mull & Iona Pipe Band played for the Bunessan Show crowd
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"attachment_999007" "" "300"] Tom and Teifi Davies enjoying Bunessan Show with their dogs
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Overall horse champion was Charlie owned by Grace Corbett of Lochbuie. A Texel owned by Angus MacColl of Croft 2, Fanmore took Overall Sheep Champion.

 

"attachment_998986" "" "300"] Up, up and away - throwing the sheaf at Bunessan Show
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Overall cattle Champion was an in-calf two-year-old Beef Shorthorn owned by Kerrie MacGillivray from Pennygown Farm.

 

"attachment_998959" "" "300"] Overall horse champion was Charlie owned by Grace Corbett of Lochbuie and showed by Lily Dench
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"attachment_998995" "" "300"] Linda Pearson with her new from old parasol that got third prize in the handicraft tent
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