Great turnout of visitors enjoy Voe Show

August 4, 2013 0

Show season in Shetland began in earnest yesterday with a bumper Voe & District Agricultural Show.

The sunny, but breezy conditions were ideal for man and beast and if the number of vehicles in the car parks was anything to go by, visitor numbers were high.

Bryden Nicolson, Johanna and son James with their texel ewe, judged the best sheep in the show. Photo: Gordon Stove< — Bryden Nicolson, Johanna and son James with their texel ewe, judged the best sheep in the show. Photo: Gordon Stove

Rain showers arrived during the late afternoon but folk didn’t seem to mind, judging by the length of the queue at the ice cream van throughout the doonpoor!

Show president Steven Laurenson, overseeing the last event of his three-year term, can be confident he is passing on a thriving, vibrant show to successor Alex Stout. Entries were up on last year to almost 3,000.

Almost every category saw an increase in entry numbers and the show committee was particularly pleased to see rising numbers in the cattle, sheep and knitting sections. Bairns’ knitting is also on the up following a few years in the doldrums. This is due, in no small part, to the efforts of the knitwear conveners.

Voe Show princesses Carson Robertson, Kaila Ratter and Neve Carter pictured after the showfield procession. Photo: Gordon Stove

The quality of the exhibits in all sections was exceptional, making the task of judging an extremely difficult one. In the end, the overall livestock trophy was awarded to Karen Doull of South Scord, Muckle Roe for her beautiful working sheepdog Jonnie.

Kirsteen Mullay of Cruckna, Heylor, scooped the overall non-livestock title for a breathtaking painting. At first glance the picture looked like a photo, but Kirsteen had actually created the incredible picture using chalks.

The Papa Stout Sword Dancers and fiddlers. Back (from left): George Peterson, Craig Laurenson, John-Ross Ratter, Owen Robertson, Matthew Johnson, Martin Peterson. Front: Harry Robertson, Scott Laurenson and Connel MacDonald. Photo: Gordon Stove — The Papa Stour Sword Dancers and fiddlers. Back (from left): George Peterson, Craig Laurenson, John-Ross Ratter, Owen Robertson, Matthew Johnson, Martin Peterson. Front: Harry Robertson, Scott Laurenson and Connel MacDonald. Photo: Gordon Stove

The show committee has fund-raised tirelessly to buy a new “muckle tent” to house the trade stalls. The big tent had its first outing this year and was judged a great success by stall-holders and visitors alike. Fund-raising will continue this year to buy a smaller tent allow the teas tent to have a dedicated space.

Despite running for over three decades, organisers are consistently improving the popular North Mainland show. New ideas and improvements could not happen without a dedicated show team and fantastic community support. The Voe Show has this in spades – whatever the weather.

Maree Hay