The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Brechin beckons for this year’s event
All the excitement of the Angus Show is coming to Brechin next weekend. The focus for the Angus farming community will be on Brechin Castle Showground, with events such as tractor pulling, bale rolling and all the traditional livestock competitions promising to draw the crowds.
The action starts with tractor pulling on the evening of June 8, before the main event that runs throughout the day on June 9. The tractor pulling will then conclude in the evening.
Ashleigh Forfar is in her second year as Angus Agricultural Society and show secretary. “I started in September 2016,” she says. “I have always been a fan of agricultural shows, as I grew up attending them.”
Her father is a local farmer, so her agricultural background has set her in good stead for the role.
As with most rural shows, the Angus Show relies on the goodwill of all of those involved in the planning and preparation stages, and, although the final weeks can be hectic, they are also a rewarding time.
“It’s good to see the show coming together,” says Ashleigh. “There is so much time and effort put in by all the volunteers.”
Of course, for many members of the farming community, the highlight of any show is the opportunity to exhibit their livestock and all the traditional classes will be represented, with judging kicking off in the main ring at 9am. The young handlers’ classes will be judged at 11am.
As ever, the horse section will be a popular one, with competitive classes for heavy horses, Highland and Shetland ponies and mountain and moorland ponies. Light-legged horses and ponies will also be well represented.
The aim of the show is to provide a good mix of competition and entertainment and this year, Ashleigh is particularly looking forward to showing off the new stalls in the decorative and reclaimed marquee, where a mix of local stall-holders and those from farther afield will be showing off their wares.
Children shouldn’t miss out on the chance to try their hand at some crafts with Forfar-based Creation Station in the industrial marquee.
New for 2018 is a bale rolling competition. It is an event from days gone by that caught the attention of the show organisers.
Ashleigh and the rest of the team are hoping that if the event proves a success, then it might become part of the regular Angus Show schedule. Teams of four will be challenged to roll a round hay bale across the main ring and back, with the winners going head-to-head in a lighthearted final.
“We also have a tug o’ war competition – and one of the classes will be contested for a national title,” says Ashleigh. “The top two teams will qualify for the British and Irish Championship later in the year.”
Show-goers young and old also love the spectacle of the truck show, which always was an important part of the proceedings on the day of the Angus Show.
Around the show grounds, visitors should also look out for the vintage vehicle display, Highland dancing, sheep shearing, and dog show competition.
In the main arena, there will be entertainment from the Ore Country Terriers (OCT), along with the grand parade of stock, and agricultural vintage vehicle parade.
OCT is a non-profit organisation run by Allan Burn, his wife, Michelle, and son, “wee Allan”.
“This will be our fourth racing season, although we have had terriers for many years,” says Michelle.
The family is based in Crosshill, Fife, but travel to shows all over the country with their terriers.
“We were at Skye last year and will be in Islay this year,” continues Michelle.
The terriers are in fact working dogs, employed in Allan’s pest control business, but the busy dogs also seem to take racing demonstrations in their stride.
“We have attended Angus Show in the past and, as always, the terriers go down well with the public. We encourage people to bring their dogs along and let them have a go – it’s not as easy as it seems,” Michelle points out.
“We encourage people to come along to our stand and meet the dogs.”
Allan and Michelle are keen for their demonstrations to support the work of the PDSA.
“To help raise funds, we run competitions such as guess buster’s birthday at the events we attend to win a cash prize. Raffle tickets can also be purchased, with some great prizes on offer,” says Michelle.
Michelle and her husband are no strangers to the agricultural show circuit.
“It was always something that we enjoyed doing as a family – and with our furry friends,” she says. “But now we don’t have the same time, as we are the entertainment at the shows.”
The Ore Country Terriers will appear in the main arena on Saturday afternoon.
The couple will also be taking their dogs to Scone Game Fair on June 29July 1 and Blair Castle on August 25-26.