MAKING A SHOW OF IT AT IPSTONES
THOUSANDS of people flocked to the 69th Ipstones Agricultural Show on Saturday.
Despite a very heavy rain shower as the carnival queens were delivering their speeches, the rest of the day was fine.
A parade of queens, led by Leek Morris dancers, took place from the village school to the Memorial Hall showground, where the day was officially opened by Leek Town Crier, Bill Lomas.
Following the official opening Vera Alexander crowned the new 2019/20 Ipstones Agricultural Queen Miss Ellie-mae Hallam.
Ellie-mae said: “This is a very special day for me and I would like to thank the Ipstones Agricultural Society for inviting me to be their Queen for the next 12 months.
“I feel very honoured, as I believe I am the first Queen from Foxt in 20 years. I also follow in the footsteps of my granny who was Kingsley Carnival Queen when she was 11.”
Retiring queen, Chelsey Burgessgoring, announced that she had raised £4,501 during her year of office.
She said: “I would like to donate £2250.69 to Ipstones Agricultural Society; £380 to The Stroke Association; £350 each to The British Heart Foundation, Meningitis Now and the Ipstones new park fund; £200 to Ipstones Tiny Tots; £90 each to Friends of St Leonard’s Church, St Leonard’s Church, Ipstones Brownies, Ipstones Rainbows; £80 each to the senior citizens and the luncheon club; £50 each to St Leonard’s School and St Leonard’s Funding Club.
“Finally I wish Ellie-mae all the best in her year as Ipstones Agricultural Queen.”
Leading the main ring entertainment was the H&M Dog Display Team from Liverpool.
They were supported by morris dancers, a classic car and tractor display and a grand parade of livestock in the main ring.
Featured around the showground were many trade stands, a craft tent, horticultural section, dog show, poultry marquee and a gymkhana.
An excellent entry was seen in the livestock classes. The champion heavy horse trophy went to John Williamson of Chelford near Macclesfield. The reserve champion was E A Sessions of Ashbourne.
In the cattle section the supreme show champion went to J Stubbs (Coldeaton Jerseys) of Ashbourne, who also took the prize for the best dairy animal. Reserve champion went to Mark Hallam and D Wright of Parwich near Ashbourne, who also took the trophy for the overall champion in the beef section.
In the sheep section the supreme champion trophy went to David Beech of Etwall, Derby.
The prize for the best goat in the show was won by Tracey Carter of Studley in Warwickshire.
Chairman of the show committee, Andrew Stevenson, said he was very pleased with the day.
He said: “It has been a brilliant day. There has been a very good crowd, excellent main ring attractions and a good turnout out in the livestock sections. We had one bad shower, but then the sun shone on us and people stayed on the site.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our sponsors, exhibitors, trade stands, all our volunteers and also all the people who attended the show. Special thanks also go to local farmers for the loan of the adjacent fields for additional activities and parking. Pictures by Laura Mellor
Visiting queen and retinue: 1st: Leek Carnival Queen
Flower Girl: 1st: Cheddleton Queen
Crown bearer: 1st: Leek Carnival Queen
Junior Royalty: Northwich Rose Bud Queen
Siegrid Whilock Memorial Cup for best in show: David Johnson Ipstones Agricultural Society Children’s Shield for most points: Archie Grindey
Ipstones Agricultural Society Cup for most points in vegetables: David Lownds
Ipstones Agricultural Society Cup for most points in vegetables and flowers in Ipstones and Foxt parish: Jane and Kate Garnett Ipstones British Legion Cup for
most points in cookery and craft: Alison Barber
Ipstones Agricultural Society
Cup for most points in cookery and craft in Ipstones and Foxt parish: Pam Ramsay
Ipstones Agricultural Society
Cup for most points in flowers: Jane and Kate Garnett
Café Connect Salver for best in cookery and craft: Barry Mosley Christine Stevenson Memorial Trophy for most points in floral art: Jane Hargreaves
P Snow and D Johnson Salver for most points in sponsored dahlias: David Johnson
Janet and David Lownds
Cup for novice tray: Kathleen Charlesworth Certificate for best in vegetables: Dave Stubbs
Certificate for best in flowers: David Johnson
Top tray certificate (Sponsored by Ipstones Agricultural Society) David Stubbs
Top vase certificate (Sponsored by Ipstones Agricultural Society) P & P Goodwin