Sheepdog trials finally to go ahead

THE great and good of the sheepdog trialling world will be descending on Dovedale this week, as the Dovedale Sheepdog Society gears up to host the English National Sheep Dog Trials.

The event, which was postponed from 2020, will begin on Thursday and run until Saturday, with tickets on sale now.

This year marks 130 years since the first sheepdog trials were held at Blore Pastures in 1891, making it the oldest in Derbyshire and one of the oldest in the country, and 70 years since the first post-war trials were organised by the committee of farmers in its present format.

The trials will provide the opportunity to watch some of the country’s top handlers and best dogs pitting their wits against one another at the society’s trials field located on the venue, at the Blore Crossroads.

Competitors will be battling to win a coveted place in the English Team to compete at the International Trials which are to take place at Tancastell, Aberystwyth in September.

Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, the trials will be pared back from the last English National held on the same field in 2008 when some 10,000 people passed through the gates over the three days.

There will be no licensed bar, trade stands, craft marquee or farmers’ market, but there will be on-site catering, provided by Pam Nadin and her team, who will be on site from the start of each day’s trials at 7am, and throughout the three days, with hot and cold food and refreshments.

Entry costs £5 per person (over the age of 12 years). Car parking is free.

Tickets will be available for online sales only in order to comply with Covid-19 track and trace. To find out more, visit www.dovedalesheepdogsociety.org