Michael Walton Glendale Show
Michael Walton looks forward, and back, to his 1st Glendale Show as the 118th gets ready….
Michael Walton, who has lived and farmed in Glendale his whole life, and has a long and distinguished history with the Glendale Agricultural Society, is looking forward to his first Glendale Show as President.
Michael, of Roseden farm near Wooler, has been involved with Glendale Show for over 55 years. He showed his first sheep aged 9, and aged 16 he became a livestock steward. Glendale Show, which celebrates its 118th year this August Bank Holiday Monday, is offering a range of events, both new and traditional, to entertain and inform its visitors.
Featuring a brand new Entertainments Marquee, as well as Main ring Attractions like the Red Devils Parachute Display Team, the show will also continue to draw appreciative crowds to its traditional countryside features – the livestock shows, and, for many the jewel in the crown, the Industrial and Horticultural Tent. Over 160 exhibitors and sponsors will gather in support, and in expectation of this year’s thousands of visitors.
Michael starts by mentioning those sponsors of the show. “These companies are vital to the survival of a show such as this. They help to provide services we couldn’t afford without making the cost of entry prohibitive.”
He remembers the show when it was held in the mart field at Wooler: “Even then it was the event of the year that everyone looked forward to. I am delighted that people still get very excited on show day. It is a tremendous day out, for not only does the best of the countryside come together to be shown, people come together to meet friends they may not have seen for a long time. ”
This is a showcase event says Michael. “The Horticultural and Industrial Show is a genuine whole community event in itself.” A livestock farmer all his life, he also likes to champion the sheep and cattle sections. “We have the best Livestock Show in the North. Glendale itself is a fantastic livestock producer, and we naturally reflect this. The livestock pens fetch big crowds– people who show their best animals, and the rest of us, who just come along to admire!” This year the show has the traditional classes in sheep, cattle, as well as goats, and speciality breeds such as Zwartbles.
In a further acknowledgment of the Show’s community role Michael points to the awards and competitions they have introduced. The latest is the Lamb Carcass presentation, which emphasises the extent the Society’s commitment to any industry connected with food and agriculture. Held in conjunction with Woodhead Brothers and Border Livestock Exchange Ltd, this innovative award to present the perfect batch of lamb carcasses underlines the society’s continuing commitment to preserving and promoting rural skills.
Diversification is often seen to be a way to maintain rural businesses. The Glendale Agricultural Society Farm Diversification Award, in Association with George F. White, recognises the way new ideas and business builds for the future. He says: “A new batch of agriculture-based companies has come forward to show that the economy is not all doom and gloom.” He is also naturally proud that the society recognises lifetime service by individuals. “We are continuing to make the long service presentations to those who have served the country community all their lives.”
In ending his round up of the prospects for his first show, Michael returns to the Horticulture and Industrial Tent. “When I became President I wanted people to remember how important to the community this section is.The opening of the Horticultural and Industrial Tent is one of the most eagerly awaited moments of the show day. “
“Entries come from all parts of the community: from primary school children to pensioners, from marvellous gardens to modest greenhouses. We love to see the way gardeners produce, nurture and display their proudest fruits and blooms; and the way the shepherd and the craftsman combines to dress sticks that would deserve respect from artists. It’s incredible to see the delicious cakes and jams that are almost literally too good to eat; and the arrangements of veg, fruits, flowers and photographs that demonstrate the creative eye that so many members of our community possess.”
Michael adds: “The industrial and horticultural section is one the oldest and most traditional parts of the show. It gives the whole event its heart in the community.”
His final thoughts return to the underlying ethos of the GAS – to make sure that rural traditions are maintained while adapting to the changing face of the countryside. The 118th annual show will continue to maintain that role, while seeking to inform and entertain the thousands of visitors to the show [12,000 in 2009], and to the other events the Society runs throughout the year.
The Glendale Show held on August Bank Holiday Monday is North Northumberland’s largest rural event, attracting thousands of visitors from across the North of England and the Scottish Borders.
