Bigger crowds and more exhibitors enjoy Roberton

Overall judge, Billy Hamilton, pulled in Alastair Warden’s Cheviot ewe from Skelfhill to take the show’s top ticket among the bigger sheep show which included new exhibitors.

The show’s Lynn Buchan said: “This year’s was a hugely successful event. We were blessed with wonderful weather, drawing both regular attenders and new faces.

“Entrant numbers for both the sheep and industrial sections were up on previous years, and the quality throughout excellent.

“We were delighted to welcome new entrants and established exhibitors.”

She continued: “A new layout was trialed this year, which worked well, lots of positive feedback being given on the day.

“Particular highlights included the stunning quilting display from Kay Bell, aka The Borderline Quilter; a very popular and extensive raffle; delicious produce in the tea tent; childrens’ crafts and the Young Handler Competition.

“The show was still going strong into the evening with record numbers staying for the after-show barbecue.

“The 2014 show will be a tough act to follow but we have already started the planning to make it bigger and better than ever.”

As well as taking the best sheep at the show award, Alistair also took the best sheep opposite sex to champion and female Cheviot group as well as the Cheviot championship.

The Blackface section was won by Michael Blackadder from Ettrickshaws with a tup lamb and Michael also won the Blackface group and had the most points in the sheep section. Best sheep opposite sex to champion was from R and M

McIntosh Outer Huntly.

The undressed Cheviot section was won Wardlaw Jackson, Wardlaw and the Andrew Barton Memorial trophy by his brother Ogilvie Jackson from Cossarshill, Ettrick.

The Any other Breed Section saw a massive increase in entries and was won by first time entrant Graham Cakebread from Commonside with a Texel tup.

The Prime Lambs were won by Ryan Jamieson, Skelfhill who also won the Under 18 trophy.

Two new classes were judged in the afternoon with Ian Dodds from Drycleuchlea being placed first with a lamb in a competitive Blacksheep competition.

The Young handler award was won by Robbie Oliver from Highchesters with Chelsea Lamb from Whitslade, runner up.

The points winners in the show’s industrial section were as follows: Millennium Industrial Trophy for most first prizes (classes 25-39) - Maureen Storie; WRI - Cogsmill; best WRI exhibit - Newmill & Teviothead; floral arts & crafts - Maureen Storie; vegetables - W R Wilson; jams and jellies - A Bone; baking - S Morison; knitting and sewing - Sheila Clyne; fleece - Anna Polwarth; photographs - David Pollard, Helen Clyne; crook - John Fraser children’s - Fraser Clyne. For a full list of trophy winners visit www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk.