Glorious weather brings a bumper crowd to Cunningsburgh Show

The weather broke just in time to greet visitors to Wednesday’s 72nd Cunningsburgh Show with glorious sunshine.

Attendance was so large at this year’s instalment of Shetland’s biggest agricultural show that the entry stalls ran out of wristbands. A tentative estimate put the number of punters crowding the show field at around 3,500.

Entries were up by nearly 300 since last year, rising from 2,695 to 2,942, with all the usual categories.

The horses and Shetland ponies were, as ever, a big attraction, while competition was tight in the sheep and cattle livestock categories.

Northmavine livestock performed strongly with Swinister resident Bobby Poleson taking overall sheep champion, with his one-year-old Cheviot tup, while a heifer belonging to Ollaberry resident Sheena Anderson was crowned the overall cattle champion.

Yell man James Nicholson’s beast was the winner in the champion beef animal category with his first ever entry into the show.

Green-fingered competitors showcased their vegetables and flowers, some in unusual arrangements, while keen bakers were given the opportunity to flaunt their skills both in regards to taste and decoration.

Other sections of the competition concentrated on wool, knitwear, photography and arts and crafts.

It is a credit to the Cunningsburgh show and the generosity of the wider community that the show ran so smoothly despite being mired in doubt until the evening before the event.

Blustery weather through the week meant that much of the necessary preparations for the show field could not be carried out until Tuesday evening. This included tasks such as setting up tents.

But with the high winds clearing on Tuesday the community turned out in force with over 50 residents chipping in to assist in setting up for the show.

Show secretary Mavis Ross said: “After the long week of poor weather and worry it’s such a relief to see the show running so well.”

She added: “It was amazing to see all of the helpers and the incredible community turnout and now the fine weather today has just made it.”