PICTURES: Bower Show lives up to high expectations after four-year gap
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The popular Bower Show returned on Saturday for the first time in four years and, despite constant drizzle on an overcast afternoon, it turned out to be a great success.
With a full programme of activities and attractions throughout the afternoon there was no let up to entertain a very good turnout of spectators and supporters.
The Bower Show committee said the event, which was last staged in 2019, lived up to the promise that this year’s show would be bigger and better than ever. The events began at noon with the dog show, with a total of 31 dogs entered.
Pentland Brass Band entertained the crowds while they awaited the arrival of the show king, Allan Pottinger and his court, piped in by Lewis Deering, Bower’s local talented piper.
Bower primary head teacher Mrs Sylvie Sinclair opened the show before handing over the mic to compere Willie Mackay.
From an impressive kids play area to vintage vehicles, there was something for all ages. Caithness Animal Farm Park gathered a lot of spectators while others preferred to have a try with Caithness Archers or peruse the vintage vehicles.
Further displays were provided by Pentland Brass Band, Tanya Horne Dancers and Wick Young Fiddlers. Entertainment around the field included Thomas the train, which was a huge hit with the youngsters, kids’ races, a bowling game, egg throwing and the Scottish National Bale Push.
Dorothy Allan, of the show committee, said: “There was an impressive display of industrial entries inside and a warm welcome from the ladies in the tea hall. It really was a great day out for all the family with the crowds being entertained into the wee small hours with music from two very talented local bands, Rain in Summer and Sand Stone Music.
“The organising committee would like to thank everyone that helped make the day a success – everyone that donated, helped set up, volunteered or supported us on the day and those that helped pack up on the Sunday.
“An immense amount of work goes into putting on such an event and we couldn’t do it without the fantastic support of the community.”
Compere Willie Mackay added: "Considering the weather elements were not in the show’s favour on the day, the event turned out to be a very good afternoon with lots of community spirit supporting a packed programme.
"It was great to see the volunteers bringing the show back into full swing for the first time in four years. I'm proud of them all – they worked hard and worked together.”
Results
Handicrafts: Item of Cross Stitch – Emma Sewell Mcphee; A Knitted Toy – Carol Martin; Something New From Something Old – Janis Henderson; Painting – Water Colour – G Coghill; Painting – Acrylic/Oil – Eilish Molloy; Drawing – Any Medium – G Coghill; Picture – any other medium – Kate Rattray; Four Paper Flowers – Dorothy Allan; Button Art Picture – Dorothy Allan; An item of Headwear – Janis Henderson; Best Handicraft Exhibit – Emma Sewell Mcphee; Best Art Exhibit – Eilish Molloy; Most Points – Kate Rattray.
Baking: Filled Egg Sponge – Adelle Swanson; 1lb Gingerbread Loaf – Dorothy Allan; Three Savoury Scones – Lexie Swanson; Raspberry Jam – Shaun Henderson; Three Pieces Traybake – Lexie Swanson; Three Choc Chip Cookies – Michelle Swanson; Three Anzac Biscuits – Dorothy Allan; Best Baking Exhibit – Dorothy Allan; Most Points – Dorothy Allan.
Photographs: Abandoned Building – Andrea O’Kane; Nature – Claire Henderson; Bridge/s – Martin O’Kane; Caithness Weather – Stuart Swanson; A Work in Progress – Stuart Swanson; Caithness Roads – Stuart Swanson; Best Photo Exhibit – Claire Henderson; Most Points – Stuart Swanson.
Pot plants: Cactus – F Long; Succulent – B Cameron; Foliage Plant – Donna Mackay; Vase Of Cut Flowers – Anne Gunn; Single Rose (Cut Flower) – Andy Dunn; Any Other Flowering Indoor Plant – Donna Mackay; Plate Of Home Grown Veg – Donna Mackay; Plate Of Home Grown Fruit – F Long; Best Exhibit – Donna Mackay; Most Points – Donna Mackay.
Floral Arrangements: 100 Years of CYF – Dorothy Allan; NC500 – Dorothy Allan; An Arrangement in a Mug – Zoe Sinclair; From The Garden – Zoe Sinclair; A Little Bit Fruity – Zoe Sinclair; Days Gone By – Dorothy Allan; Best Floral Exhibit – Zoe Sinclair; Most Points – Zoe Sinclair.
Children’s Competitions:
Pre-school: Pasta Picture – Farryn Gunn; Painted stone – Farryn Gunn; Decorated biscuit – Jamie Barnetson; Caterpillar made from cardboard tubes – Jamie Barnetson.
P1-3: A Mask Using a Paper Plate – Finlay Silverwood; A Picture Using Leaves – Sophie Gunn; Painted Wellie Boot – Austen Foubister; Keyring – Any Craft – Albie Muir.
P4-7: Mask Using a Paper Plate – Heather Clarke; Painted Wellie Boot – Hazel Roberts; Keyring – Ava Stafford.
High School: Three Brownies – Rebecca Henderson; Best Children’s Exhibit – Hazel Roberts; Most Points – Jamie Barnetson/Sophie Gunn; Best Exhibit in Hall – Eilish Molloy; Design Next Year’s Front Page of Show Schedule – Claire Henderson.
Dog Show
Pedigree Classes: Any Variety Puppy 6-12 Months – Gavin Mackay, Rueben; Any Variety Veteran 7 Years & Over – Karen Dunn, Bonnie; Any Variety Toy, Terrier Or Utility – Karen Dunn, Beau; Any Variety Gundog – Gavin Mackay, Orrin; Any Variety Hound – Ian Swanson, Jeemag; Any Variety Working or Pastoral – Arlene Martin, Fern.
Novelty Classes: Best Crossbred Dog/Bitch – Emma Montgomery, Finn; Junior Handling Class – Matthew Merchant, Evie; Best Rescue – Andrea Merchant, Willow; Veteran – Zoe Sinclair, Oscar; Waggiest Tail – Katie Moar, Daisy; Most Appealing Eyes – Arlene Martin, Fern; Prettiest Bitch – Andrea Merchant, Willow; Most Handsome Dog – Catherine Wood, Rico; Dog Judge Would Most Like To Take Home – Dorothy Allan, Barney; Any Dog Not Placed Today – Ryan Miller, Bobbie.
Dog Show Trophy Winners: Best In Show – Gavin Mackay, Rueben; Reserve Best In Show – Ian Swanson, Jeemag; Best Puppy – Gavin Mackay, Rueben; Best Novelty – Emma Montgomery, Finn; Best Crossbreed – Emma Montgomery, Finn; Best Rescue – Andrea Merchant, Willow.
Trophy Winners 2023
Karen Sutherland Memorial Trophy for most points in floral arrangements: Zoe Sinclair
Lorna Swanson Trophy for best exhibit confined to parish in floral arrangements: Dorothy Allan
Trophy Presented By Sandra Coghill for best exhibit in floral arrangements: Zoe Sinclair
Donald Coghill Memorial Perpetual Trophy for best exhibit in photographs: Claire Henderson
Alistair Swanson Trophy for most points in photographs: Stuart Swanson
Bower Gala Perpetual Trophy for most points in pot plants: Donna Mackay
Willie Mackay Trophy for best in Pot Plants: Donna Mackay
Peter And Jenny Brotherstone Trophy for most points in baking: Dorothy Allan
Margaret Mcadie Trophy for best in Baking: Dorothy Allan
Suzanne Lees Ritter Trophy for best exhibit in Art: Eilish Molloy
Pearl Allan Trophy for best in Handicrafts: Emma Sewell Mcphee
Peter And Jenny Brotherstone Trophy for most points in Handicrafts: Kate Rattray
Charles Alexander Memorial Trophy for most points in Children’s section: Farryn Gunn, Sophie Gunn & Jamie Barnetson
Rena Swanson Trophy for Best Exhibit in Children's section: Hazel Roberts
Serendipity Trophy for best exhibit in hall: Eilish Molloy
