‘Proud day’ as family take home Langdon Beck Show’s top title

A TEESDALE family said it was a "proud day" as they won supreme overall champion at Langdon Beck Show.

It was only the second time since the show resumed in 2000 that a sheep from a local breeder had taken the top prize.

The winning Swaledale, a gimmer shearling, was also breed champion at the Great Yorkshire Show, and at last year’s Langdon Beck Show she won her class as a gimmer lamb.

Owners Tom and Kay Hutchinson, of Bail Hill Farm at Forest in Teesdale, said it was "quite an achievement".

The Northern Farmer: Langdon Beck Sheep Show Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT Langdon Beck Sheep Show Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: Langdon Beck Sheep Show Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

"It's been one of our life's ambitions to win supreme champion there, so we are very proud indeed," said Mrs Hutchinson. "She has been much admired this summer, but we certainly didn't go there thinking we were going to win."

The couple, whose youngest daughter Hetty took on the task of showing the eventual winner, said Langdon Beck is one of the biggest and most prestigious shows in the calendar for Swaledales.

"There was a very, very good show of sheep," said Mrs Hutchinson.

"There was a few champions from other shows, so it was quite an achievement to win."

The Northern Farmer: Langdon Beck Sheep Show Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT Langdon Beck Sheep Show Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: Langdon Beck Sheep Show Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Organisers described the overall show as a "very successful day" helped by sunny early autumn conditions in upper Teesdale.

Secretary Nicola Foster said: "We had nice sunshine so that always helps, a successful day – quite a busy day as well.

"It was very well attended."

Ms Foster said she was "looking forward to next year already," thanking show-goers and exhibitors for their support.

She added: "I just want to thank everyone that came through the gate, all of the exhibitors, the committee members as well. "We're all volunteers, so a big thank you to everyone who was involved in making it a successful day."

The Northern Farmer: Langdon Beck Sheep Show Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT Langdon Beck Sheep Show Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: Langdon Beck Sheep Show Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The Northern Farmer: People attending Langdon Sheep Show People attending Langdon Sheep Show (Image: Langdon Beck Sheep Show Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The Northern Farmer: Langdon Beck Sheep Show Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT Langdon Beck Sheep Show Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: Langdon Beck Sheep Show Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)