Northumberland Shows 2022

With the car packed, I set off to Powburn Show, it’s a great start to the season and one I always look forward to. I arrived at the showfield with a degree of nervous anticipation and almost cerainly a bit earlier than normal, it would be my first show in nearly three years. Into the craft tent to welcome familiar faces, I was soon set up and settled into showtime, it felt great to be back. As the gates opened, the showfield quickly filled, much to the delight of all those involved in making such a great day happen. It was busy in the craft tent throughout the day, there was still an ebb and flow, which meant I could occasionally get out with my camera. I may not have taken quite as many photos, but it was lovely seeing and chatting to so many people. There’s a bit of news about me on the Powburn Show site here.

The following weekend brought Glanton Show on Saturday, with Simonside Country Fair on the Sunday. These shows were cancelled in 2019 due to torrential rain and flooding. So it had been four years since I last drove down to the craft tent, there was still a welcome familiarity. This time the sky was blue, it was hot and getting hotter. After a leisurely setup, early again, I was out with the cameras, I’d brought a few. The gates opened at lunchtime and cars were still streaming through when I headed up to photograph the start of the hill race an hour later, another field had to be opened for more parking. All the many visitors made for a great day and I still managed to get out and photograph the terrier racing, it’s always hilarious. Parked up behind the craft tent at Simonside and it was another glorious day, perhaps even hotter. The tables are generous and are on a first come, first serve basis, I was hoping for the shady side. I walked the showground after setting up, It didn’t feel like four years had passed since my last show here. I came across some of the younger Cumberland wrestlers, they weren’t that tall the last time I photographed them.

With three successful and busy shows completed over two weekends, there was a bit of a break until Glendale Show. Glendale is one of my larger shows and always busy, I always like to get out before the gates open and head over to the horse and pony classes. This show seems to brings an end to the summer season and with the wonderful Harbottle Show and Ingram Show, Autumn begins. From here I’ll almost let the photographs take over, there’s half a dozen or so from each. Thropton Show was the only one I visited, I always do, took lots of photos, finishing with the returning runners on Physic Lane. Last up for September was Upper Redesdale Show followed by Alwinton Show in October, I didn’t manage to take any photos at Alwinton, it was a very busy day.

All in all, it’s been my best season of shows, I enjoyed them all immensly. Photography has been limited, but then I’ve met so many lovely people, I just photographed certain aspects of each show and tried for a bit of a mix between them all. I mainly shot digital with some film, I enjoyed using my older cameras and got some great results, but I needed a bit of speed and familiarity. Finally, many thanks to Christine for all of her invaluable help. If you would like to see more of my show photos, there are many more in my Showtime booklet from previous years.