It’s show time: Kintyre Agricultural Show makes welcome return

While the pig races were the highlight of this year's Kintyre Agricultural Show for some, many were just pleased to see the show take place again after a three-year break because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Anderston Park was packed with families, both farming and non-farming, as the usually annual show of livestock and implements made its welcome return last Friday.

 

Despite rain overnight, the ground remained firm underfoot and the sun shone throughout the day, although there was a persistent blustery breeze.

 

Entries across all sections were strong, with competitors from across Kintyre and further afield.

 

This year's champion of champions award went to a Bluefaced Leicester sheep from J & M Turner of Kildalloig, bred by John Mclachlan.

 

The ewe was up against stiff competition in the form of the dairy champion from J & M Barr, Clochkiel, the beef champion from D W Semple, Dippen, the Clydesdale horse champion from Tom McMillan, Eskechraggan, the horse and pony champion from Heather Dixon, and dog champion Bodie from Donald Graham.

 

Another popular attraction was the show of vintage tractors; it was one belonging to Jackie Morrison that took the champion's prize.

 

There were some bright and colourful fruit, vegetables and other creations to be seen in the produce tent, from stunning floral arrangements, tasty baking and wonderful Lego builds to impressively uniformed carrots and potatoes.

 

Arguably the highlight of the show, however, were two pig races, organised by Campbeltown Young Farmers.

 

Spectators were able to place bets on which of the animals from Craigievern Farm would race to the end of the finish line after a number of heats in a midday and an afternoon race, causing much excitement and cheering from the side-lines.

 

As well as admiring the top-quality livestock and vintage tractors, the crowds who flocked to the event browsed the many stalls in the showground which offered a range of goods and treats.

 

There was also musical entertainment courtesy of Kintyre Schools Pipe Band and lots of fair rides to keep youngsters occupied.

 

This year, the trophies were presented by Mary Turner of Kildalloig.

 

Kintyre Agricultural Society president Malcolm Ronald said: 'The Turner family has been very supportive of the show over the years and we are very glad to have Mary here to present the trophies.

 

'Thank you to everyone who has supported this year's show.'

 

Before the trophies were presented, John Mclachlan was given a certificate in recognition of his outstanding 34 years' service at Kildalloig.

 

Speaking to the Courier after the show, Mr Ronald said: 'It was great to have the show back after our absence due to Covid.

 

'Congratulations to all the prize-winners and everyone who took part in the show.

 

'Our grateful thanks to all sponsors and stand holders who came along and supported the show.

 

'Finally, I would like to thank our society directors and volunteer helpers for all their hard work, not forgetting our hard-working secretary who organises everything.

 

'We hope to see you all next year.'

 

 

The full list of trophy winners:

 

Coll Cup for best Ayrshire calf: Noah McKean, Clochkiel

 

Ayrshire Cattle Society Shield for winner of the Ayrshire production class: T M Ralston, East Drumlemble

 

Kintyre Farmers Cup for winner of Ayrshire heifer: J & M Barr, Clochkiel

 

Merchants Cup for most points, Ayrshire: J & M Barr, Clochkiel

 

Society Cup for best Ayrshire, home bred: J & M Barr, Clochkiel

 

Alf King Cup for best Ayrshire (milk section): J & M Barr, Clochkiel

 

Deosan Cup for best Ayrshire pair, milk: J & M Barr, Clochkiel

 

Thomas Miller Cup for Ayrshire young stock champion: J & M Barr, Clochkiel

 

Tom Douglas Cup for overall Ayrshire champion: J & M Barr, Clochkiel

 

Volac Cup for best Holstein calf: Kathryn Semple, Kilkeddan

 

Holstein Breeder ID Smith Cup for milk records class: A & J Pirie, Machrihanish

 

John Cullen Salver for Holstein young stock champion: Neil Littleson, Killegruer

 

Kintyre Holstein Breeders Cup for winning Holstein heifer: Peter Littleson, Killegruer

 

Alister Cameron Cup for reserve champion Holstein: A & J Pirie, Machrihanish

 

Drumalea Cup for champion Holstein: Gavin Semple, Kilkeddan

 

Sandy Ross Cup for champion Jersey: N/A

 

Silver Vase for best exhibit by 14-25-year-old, dairy: Neil Littleson, Killegruer

 

Ian McDonald Rose Bowl for dairy interbreed pair: T M Ralston, East Drumlemble

 

Parker Cup for reserve dairy champion: Gavin Semple, Kilkeddan

 

Creamery Cup for supreme dairy champion: J & M Barr, Clochkiel

 

Kintara Cup for best calf led by juvenile: Fraser Lines, Killocraw

 

Corsons Rose Bowl for best cross bred suckled calf: D W Semple, Dippen

 

McFadyen Cup for most points in beef section: J, J & C McCallum, Strathnafanaig

 

Daniel Riddell Cup for best opposite sex in beef classes: D W Semple, Dippen

 

Messrs Wallace Cup for champion beef animal: D W Semple, Dippen

 

Wm McLatchie Memorial Cup for best Clydesdale bred in Kintyre: John McLatchie, Moy

 

Society Cup for best Clydesdale bred by exhibitor: Tom McMillan, Eskechraggan

 

John McCallum Memorial Plate for best Clydesdale: Tom McMillan, Eskechraggan

 

David MacPhail & Son Cup for best Clydesdale foal: John McLatchie, Moy

 

David Smith Cup for champion Clydesdale: Tom McMillan, Eskechraggan

 

Duncan MacKinnon Trophy for best horse dressed and in harness: Michelle Mayberry, Bellochantuy

 

Arnicle Cup best Blackface milk ewe and lamb: R & I Shaw, Acharonich

 

Dukes Cup for best group of three Blackfaces: Alastair Currie, Balachleven, Islay

 

John R Semple Cup for best Blackface lamb: Alastair Currie, Balachleven, Islay

 

Maxwell Cup for best Blackface male bred by exhibitor: Alastair Currie, Balachleven, Islay

 

Argyll Herald Jubilee Cup for best home bred Blackface sheep: Alastair Currie, Balachleven, Islay

 

Calder Cup for reserve champion, confined: J & M Turner, Kildalloig

 

Archie Black Memorial Cup, confined Blackface champion: Jake Ronald, Colinlongart

 

James McPhee & Son Cup for most points in Blackface section: Jake Ronald, Colinlongart

 

Sanda Cup for champion Blackface sheep: Alastair Currie, Balachleven, Islay

 

Devonia Bowl for most points Ayr/Blackface sheep: J & M Barr, Clochkiel

 

John D McConnachie Cup for champion Blue Leicester: J & M Turner, Kildalloig

 

Jim Martin/Scotmin Cup for champion Suffolk: Jack MacDonald, Daill

 

Society Cup for champion mule/Greyface: M & C Ralston, Rhoin

 

Thomas Brown Quaich for champion Texel, open: Sheena Woodrow, Islay

 

David H McKendrick Cup for champion Texel, confined: John Pirie, Machrihanish

 

Glen Scotia Cup for champion non-native sheep: Toby Welch, Kilwhipnach

 

Mary Lang Memorial Trophy for best Jacob: M & C Ralston, Rhoin

 

McTaggart Cup for best Border Leicester: Dianne Smith, Ballimore

 

Burnside Bar Cup for champion native sheep: Stuart Herraty, Low Ranachan

 

Mssrs Jackson/Sym Plate for best pen of fat lambs: Zoe Prentice, Ballimore

 

Tithebarn Cup for overall sheep champion: J & M Turner, Kildalloig

 

Society Cup for champion dog, confined to Kintyre: Donald Graham

 

Society Quaich for best old tractor: Jackie Morrison

 

Champion of champions: J & M Turner, Kildalloig

 

Society Cup for most points in baking: Isobel McConnachie, Blasthill

 

Kildalloig Rosebowl for most points in vegetable section: Angus Nimmo, Summerhill Crescent