Bumper turnout for Canisbay show
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RECORD numbers turned out for the Canisbay Show on Saturday – making it one of the most successful events ever for the organisers.
Around 2000 people flocked to the village to take part in what is becoming an increasingly popular agricultural show.
Show secretary Avril Henderson explained that the numbers through the gate were up by around 800 people on last year’s total, an unprecedented increase. “It was an excellent day as far as we were concerned. I’ve never seen queues like it at the ice-cream van before,” she said.
“It was a great day. The weather was kind to us and we had a great crowd in. We reckon there were around 2000 people through the gate.”
Mrs Henderson said the organisers could not explain the sudden increase in popularity but they were all “delighted” with the turnout. “We had banners in Wick and Thurso so we don’t know if that brought people out or if it was just because it was a nice day,” said the secretary.
“There was a good crowd from early on. It’s normally not until later when people appear but this year there were lots about even before the gate opened.”
In addition to the flood of people through the gate, the show continued to expand out into the field with more horse, poultry and stall entries this year. After the morning’s judging local farmer Philip Coghill opened the show at 1pm.
The first event of the afternoon was the crowning of the show queen, Kaitlyn Miller, who was joined by her attendants, Katie Dunnett and Lauren Simpson.
After the traditional crowning ceremony there was a street dance display from Rush.dance and a five-a-side football competition, with Watten Primary School claiming the title.
The baby show and dog show followed later before visitors were treated to a Highland dancing display from the locally based Violet Leitch School of Dance and a karate demonstration.
Dave Kennedy’s Charolais-cross heifer calf, Jessie J, took the prestigious champion-of-champions spot.
The reserve supreme ticket went to Start Smart, an eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, put forward ?by Sarah Sutherland, of Norlands, Ulbster.
With all the entertainment being well received, the only problem reported on the day was lack of parking, explained the secretary.
“I’d just like to apologise to everyone who came along for the parking situation,” she said. “We just weren’t expecting the large number of people who turned up, so there were cars parked everywhere.” Mrs Henderson said that they would have plans in place should such a problem arise next year.
Despite the car-parking troubles, Mrs Henderson said organisers were grateful to all those who had turned out to make it one of the biggest and best Canisbay shows yet.
“The community is so supportive of our show and everyone helps us to get set up, and it’s the locals that put in most of the entries. Without them we couldn’t have a show,” she said.
“The local people, as well as those who come from all over the county, make it possible for us to keep going.”
