By COLIN TAPPING colin.tapping@hexham-courant.co.uk

Published at 09:43, Friday, 30 July 2010

THE creation of Kielder Water has had a dramatic impact on the North Tyne village of Falstone.

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The influx of tourists, cyclists, walkers and watersports enthusiasts that followed the building of Europe’s largest man-made reservoir has overwhelmed the mining and farming heritage which sustained the local community for so long.

However, amid the transformation, one traditional feature of village life has stubbornly remained intact.

Falstone Border Shepherd’s Show has helped ensure the village’s ties with the farming roots are as strong as ever.

The show celebrates its 125th anniversary next month, with no sign of enthusiasm waning for the event.

Precious little is known about the first show in 1885. No records exist, and the lack of any reference to it in the Hexham Courant suggests it was a low key, small-scale affair.

Its original name was the Falstone and Kielder Shepherd’s Show, depicting its emphasis on sheep farming in the Upper North Tyne.

Who knows how it came about? Was it hastily arranged in a local hostelry one evening as shepherds gathered to discuss local trade and to gossip? As the drink overflowed was a wager struck on who had the best Blackface or whose Cheviot ewe was head and shoulders above the rest?

Whatever happened, we do know that that first show attracted an entry of 81 Cheviots and 20 Blackfaces.

By the time the second show came around, the organisation was more thorough. Bills were printed to advertise the occasion, and the Courant published a detailed report of proceedings. It was a very successful affair, with Cheviot entries rising to 112, and Blackfaces to 42.

A first prize of a pair of trousers, made to order by local draper Thomas Oliver, went to the shepherd with the best hill ewe. And the owner of the best ewe lamb won a pair of boots made by Mr Brydon, of Bellingham.

In addition there was a section for shepherds’ dogs, and a post show public dinner in the Blackcock Inn.

In the early years, sheep exhibited in the show would be driven over the hills on foot, and rested up overnight as the shepherds enjoyed the hospitality of the local inns.

Gloria Armstrong, secretary since 1993, is proud that this year’s show on August 21 is sticking to the core tried and tested formula that has maintained its progress since its creation.

“It’s still very much a shepherds’ show, and I think that is its enduring strength and why it is so well supported year after year. The show has a wonderful history,” she said.

Classes for sheep, hounds and terriers remain at the heart of proceedings. Sadly, because of a clash with the English championships at Alnwick on the same day, there will be no sheep dog trials this time round.

But to mark the anniversary, class winners will receive specially commissioned rosettes instead of the usual certificates.

Others attractions include an industrial section, fell race, vintage tractor display, adults’ and children’s sports. It promises to be an event the Victorian shepherds of Falstone would have been proud of.

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk