SUCCESSFUL SHOW DESPITE ABSENCE OF CATTLE AND SHEEP

Bute Agricultural Society decided to continue with their annual show on Wednesday last, despite Foot and Mouth regulations preventing the attendance of cattle and sheep. They were rewarded with the presence of a large crowd of spectators and good weather. Local organisations rapidly helped to organised events to fill the void left by the cattle and sheep; most members of Bute Vintage Club brought a tractor and organised a number of competitions; Bute Junior Agricultural Club members assisted in arranging events of an ‘Athletic’ nature; dancers from the Margaret Anne Speirs School of Dance gave two excellent highland dancing displays and J.M. McMillan and A Steel gave a splendid driving display with their pairs of Clydesdales and carts. Two sessions of terrier racing, were staged by the Scottish Terrier Racing Team; the exploits of their terriers amused a large crowd, particularly of dog show competitors.

Society members and friends donated a number of live and dead stock items, which were auction during the afternoon by Robbie Wilson, in aid of Calum’s Cabin. The auction, the proceeds from the dog show and personal donations raised almost £3000.  

The Clydesdale Champion was Mill Ellie Bell, a three year old mare, bred by J.M. McMillan, Greenan Mill. As a foal she was Champion Clydesdale at the 2004 show and since then has won many prizes at shows around the country, more recently at the Highland and Great Yorkshire shows. The Light Horse Champion, selected from an entry of almost 50, was Wilstrop Crackerjack (Guinness) a 9 year old cross Welsh cob from K Ewing, Barone Road. The Donkey champion was Mickey a three and half year old jack from G Livingstone, Acholter. These three animals competed for the title of Champion of Champions, which was awarded to the Clydesdale.  There was a high standard of competition in the Domestic section, with over 300 entries; Mrs R Reid, Eriskay was the winner of the Rothesay Advertising Association trophy for most points in all domestic classes.

At the conclusion of the show the Society President, Jim Reynolds, said “I would like to thank all who supported this year’s show; the decision to continue was a difficult one to make last Saturday but I am very grateful to all who rallied round to make this show a success, particularly the exhibitors, stand holders, show sponsors, judges, stewards, our imperturbable M.C., Douglas Lyle, Dog Show organiser Mr J Richardson, Bute Shinty Club for the use of their facilities and especially this year, my Committee, without them there would be no show; and finally and most importantly thank you all for coming to support the Show”. He then invited Mrs Christeen Thomson to present a reduced number of trophies to their respective winners. After the ceremony the Miss Emma McAlister presented Mrs Thomson with a bouquet in appreciation of her support.

   Bute Agricultural Society is grateful to all local and national sponsors for their support of the Show and particularly for the continuing support from Argyll and Bute Council             

FULL RESULTS

                                                            CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS - J.M. McMillan, Greenan Mill

                                                                  CHAMPION YOUNG LIVESTOCK HANDLER – The RHASS  Trophy – C McKellar, Ard-darrach   

                                                                                                            Show Umpire: S. Pirie, Campbeltown

VINTAGE TRACTORS

Judge: R Sibbald, Bathgate

Ferguson Diesel, Grey and Grey Gold

T McMillan, Eskechraggan; T McMillan, Eskechraggan; W McMillan, Cranslagvourity

Petrol Paraffin

R Crawford, Stuck; R Speirs, Gartnakeily; W McMillan, Cranslagvourity

Other Makes Diesel

J Johnston, Rothesay; R Robertson, Ballianlay Schoolhouse; B Liddell, Dunallan

Team Competition

Ford; Other Makes; Ferguson

Best Tractor - T McMillan, Eskechraggan     Reserve - T McMillan, Eskechraggan

CLYDESDALES

Judge: J. Drummond, Cottown, Northern Ireland

Mare, three years old or over

J.M. McMillan, Greenan Mill; M McFadyen, Campbeltown; J.D. McMillan & Son, Eskechraggan   

Best Clydesdale Foal – Dugald Keith Memorial Trophy

 J.D. McMillan & Son, Eskechraggan; M McFadyen, Campbeltown

Judge: Mrs A Richardson, Weymss Bay