Fond memories of sheepdogs
ONE of the many assignments I remember as a young Macclesfield Times newspaper photographer was the sheepdog trials in Sutton.
They were held, at that time, in a field immediately behind Sutton St James Church.
It was always a pleasure – I was made most welcome by Cyril Bullock, who helped me gather the sometimes rather shy farmers for the standard local newspaper group photograph.
At the crucial moment of taking the photograph, I would make a high pitched whine, all the dogs would look up, ears pricked and occasionally I got some inquisitive looks from the farmers!
Thanks for the photographs today from Mr John Bowler, of Torgate Farm, Macclesfield Forest.
On the 1981 photograph we have A Norbury, Nicholas Winterton MP, Richard May, Jack Pickford, John Bowler, Mr and Mrs Evans, N Waller, Y Pearson, R Lomas, Ben Kidd, C Cartlidge, C Furness, Walt Sheldon and Albert Keeling. All good old Macclesfield families. I don’t think I took this photograph, as the dogs aren’t looking!
I’m not sure of date of the other group or the 1970s shot of a young Nicholas Winterton, in his rather daring shorts, talking to Richard May.
I can’t promise Sir Nick will be there in his shorts, but the trials are on this Friday and Saturday (August 2 and 3) at Sutton Hall Farm, together with a Fell race, junior fun run, MG Owners Club display and craft fair.
There will also be a tug-o’-war and a barbecue. The website is www.macclesfieldsheep dogtrials.co.uk.
This is my penultimate week of writing this column as I’m not too well and in need of some hospital treatment. Hopefully it’s just for a short break. Our studio isn’t affected and at the moment we have an exhibition of some of our restored Bullock Brothers photographs of old Macclesfield at The Monocle Deli on Chestergate, others will be added this week.
We still have all the negatives from our previous studio, going back over the past 49 years. We also offer a high quality copy, restoration and print service for your own negatives, slides and digital images.
Visit Ollier Photography, 19 Queen Victoria Street, Macclesfield, SK11 6LP, call 01625 423288 or email ollierphotography. co.uk.