The G&S is North Dorset’s Great Rural Day Out – join us on 14th and 15th August at Turnpike Showground!
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The sweet giants who never get the hump
Pick a camel, cheer it on ... and discover how charming and intelligent these “ships of the desert” really are
Equestrian legend William Fox-Pitt comes to G&S
You can enjoy a first class demonstration of dressage, thanks to one of the most successful British event riders of all time
What not to miss!
The show team have put their heads together to pick out some of their personal show highlights
Timetables
The full line up of what’s on and when so you can plan your day and not miss a thing!
21 Wednesday night is party night!
On Wednesday 14th, visitors can stay on after gates close at 6pm to enjoy live music, and of course there’ll be bars and food
Meet Rodmead Prague
Ever wondered what it takes to breed a champion? We speak to the owner of last year’s ‘Best in Show’ to find out!
Happy 30th birthday Turnpike Showground!
We take a look back at the history of the G&S, and just how we came to live on the ‘wettest, roughest land in North Dorset’!
Get to know the G&S show organiser Cat Harris
Last year, Cat Harris became the first female show secretary in the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Society’s history.
Giddy up - it’s the camel racing!
If you think camels are meantempered creatures that spit and kick, come to this year’s Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show and discover how charming and intelligent these “ships of the desert” really are. Rebecca and Joe Fossett are bringing their unique racing display, Joseph’s Amazing Camels, to the 2024 show.
These sweet giants never get the hump
‘Camels have such a reputation for kicking, biting and spitting – but I think most people only have contact with them in holiday destinations as tourist attractions,’ says trainer Rebecca. ‘And really – who wouldn’t be grumpy, dealing with that all day!
‘But they are sweet and affectionate creatures, reaching down to touch their face to yours as a way of saying hello. When they’re treated with love and respect, they respond in kind. They are sensitive and very intelligent animals.’
Rebecca joined Chipperfield’s Circus as a presenter: ‘I had been a fourin-hand carriage driving groom and navigator doing international driving trials, working with driving horses in France, Hungary, Spain, America and the UK. I thought the
circus would be a new career move!’ she says.
‘Joe is a member of the UK’s oldest circus family, the Fossetts, and when I joined he was already there, working with the big animals including, of course, the camels. A wedding was soon under way, and before we knew it a honeymoon baby meant our excitedly-laid plans for a new danger act were swiftly out the window!
‘This was in 2000, and Mary Chipperfield had a camel act –so when she relocated to Spain, leaving a gap in the camel market…’
One hump or two?
‘Joe is one of the best camel trainers in Europe – we started with two, and now have 18, the largest camel herd in the UK. We have dromedaries (one hump) and Bactrian camels (two humps!), and we use both for our racing.
‘Camels are always popular – we do a lot of weddings with brides and grooms arriving at their reception on them. They’re in demand for Christmas parades and events, and also as film extras. We always say that if it’s legal, feasible and the camels won’t mind, then we’ll do it!
‘Earlier this year we were strolling the camels up and down East Ham High Street in the lashing rain for a rap video, accompanied by numerous mask-clad gangster types. At one point they wanted a drone shot, and we had to sit in
the middle of the road as I watched three red double-decker buses bearing down towards us ... the camels weren’t bothered at all!’
At their service
‘They don’t mind the UK’s climate – everyone always asks. They’re adapted to extreme heat and extreme cold, because they get both in the desert. We worry about the rain far more than they do. It can be pouring down and they’ll be out happily grazing.
‘Occasionally, they will let us know they want to come in by standing at the gate and looking mournful –and we jump to it, of course. We are entirely at their service.
‘At the show we’ll be doing two half-hour displays each day, and in between the shows the camels will be out for people to come and meet them – that’s a huge part of the shows. We love it when people come and talk to them.
‘During the display we’ll have a parade first, and then races with four camels. It is a serious sport in the Middle East where they can reach speeds of 35 mph – but it is rather the opposite at the shows. There will of course be a LOT of audience participation and loud cheering is obligatory – things get quite competitive!’
‘We were strolling the camels up and down East Ham High Street in the lashing rain for a rap video, accompanied by numerous mask-clad gangster types’
William Fox-Pitt was the first British rider to become eventing’s World No 1, a distinction he achieved in 2002, 2009, 2010 and again in 2014. He has represented his country consistently over the past 24 years, including at five Olympic Games
Equestrian legend William Fox-Pitt gives a dressage demo at G&S
One of the surprise hits of this summer’s Olympics has been the ‘horse dancing’ –otherwise known as dressage! And the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show team is thrilled to announce that you can enjoy a first class demonstration of the discipline at the show, thanks to one of the most successful British event riders of all time.
William Fox-Pitt, whose 28-stable stateof-the-art training centre is near Sturminster Newton, will be giving a dressage demonstration in the main ring at the show.
Five-time Olympian William won three Olympic medals and is the record holder in CCI5* competition, with 14 grand slam titles. In 2011, he became the first rider to win five different 5* events.
William survived a major riding accident in 2015, when he suffered a life-threatening head injury in a cross-country fall at the 2015FEI World Breeding Eventing Championships for Young Horses. He was placed in a coma for two weeks, and has had to learn to walk and talk again.
The fall threatened to end his career –but, despite lingering vision and memo-
ry issues, he returned to competing and went on to ride in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
In May 2024, 35 years after he first competed at Badminton Horse Trials, he announced his retirement from 5* eventing.
He’ll continue to compete at a less demanding level, and he sees training and teaching as a natural and enjoyable progression of his own career.
‘I enjoy the international teaching, and inspiring the next generation of professional riders,’ he recently told The BV magazine. ‘But I also enjoy the more “normal” local teaching. In many respects I wish I had done more of that earlier.’
This summer, William was at the Paris Olympics as both trainer of the Brazilian event team and coach of the Japanese rider Kazuma Tomoto, who is based in William’s yard. Japan landed its first ever equestrian medal with Bronze in the team event, and Kazuma came fifth in the individual event.
• See William in the Turnpike Ring only on Thursday 15th August, for two half hour demonstrations at 12pm and 2:30pm
‘I’ll miss the adrenalin. It’s an addictive drug. Eventing provides a target and drive, with a fantastic adrenalin crescendo,’ says William
Spotted in action: Dalmatians at the G&S!
Visitors will have the chance to see the first ever Carriage Dog Display at the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show this year. Liesel Thorner, a dog trainer and canine conformation judge who also awards Challenge Certificates to Dalmatians, is secretary of The British Carriage Dog Society (BCDS). She, alongside her fellow members of The BCDS committee, will be running the display. Dalmatians, the original spotty dogs, ‘have a deep instinct for carriage work,’ says Liesel. ‘The very first thing we do with any aspiring carriage dog is the Instinct Test to discover whether they actually have the drive to follow a carriage. It’s rare to find a Dalmatian that doesn’t!’
Liesel Thorner (in red) ran her first two Dalmatians, Marcy and Molly, together – pictured here with driver Lornah Hullah and Bobby. Image: Mary Cruxton
Liesel’s current working dog, five-year-old Mona Image: Liesel Thorner
*Without the support of volunteer drivers – and very often their families in stewarding roles – Liesel says they would not be able to train or run the trials and ultimately not preserve the working role of the Dalmatian.
The first known written reference to a Dalmatian dog is from 1375. Peter, Bishop of Đakovo, mentions a hunting dog – principally found in Dalmatia – with short white hair and black round spots, naming the breed Canis Dalmaticus . Dalmatians were hunting dogs originally, explains Liesel: ‘You’ll often see “distinctively spotted dogs” in medieval art – the forerunners of today’s Dalmatians – and hunting is where their affinity for working with horses came from.’ During the Regency period they were the must-have accessory for a nobleman’s coach, guarding from highwaymen on the road and sleeping with the horses in the stable to protect them. They’re also excellent ratters, making them doubly welcome! They were soon the carriage dog breed of choice, and because of this, “carriage dog” became synonymous with “Dalmatian”: the British Carriage
Dog Society exists to preserve “the working heritage of the Dalmatian as a coaching dog”.
Going for gold
The BCDS runs national trials near Fordingbridge every year, where dogs are tested on obedience and endurance – Dalmatians are the ultimate long distance trotters!
There are three disciplines for carriage dogs:
• Groom Handled – a second person on the backstep of the carriage, the groom, is responsible for the dog while the driver handles the horse
• Whip Handled – the driver must handle the horse, the carriage and the dog, though a groom is still present
• Road Dog – there is no carriage, and the dog runs alongside the horse and rider.
During the trials (for bronze, silver or gold level), the dogs will complete an obedience test, and then set out on their endurance test – bronze is six miles, while gold is 25 miles!
‘Marcy, our oldest dog, is 13 and retired now,’ says Liesel. ‘She achieved her bronze level – but the ratbag failed her silver obedience! They’re expected to be focused on the carriage, and Marcy preferred the horse poo – she kept leaving the carriage! She passed the vetting with flying colours after the 12 mile silver endurance though.
‘Mona, our young dog, is five, and she’s going for her bronze this
Liesel’s dog
Molly working a perfect position with the carriage during a trial
September. She’s terrific, a very instinctive guard – it is absolutely HER carriage. But that is causing some training issues as the dogs are expected to run behind the carriage, and Mona insists on popping out at field junctions and sections of woodland, scouting ahead to check the way is clear before returning to her spot!’
• You can see the Carriage Dog display in the Main Ring on both days of the show - there will be four carriages with four Dalmatians, and they will be demonstrating the bronze obedience test for the crowd.
The British Carriage Dog Society
The British Carriage Dog Society (BCDS) founder Alison Wright visited the Washington Dalmatian Club in the USA in 2002 to shadow the organisers of that year’s Road Trials, with a view to bringing the working Dalmatian role back to the UK. In 2003 the first Carriage Dog Trial event took place where both Road Dog and Carriage Dog classes were offered – the society has been running trials and training since.
If you own a Dalmatian and would like to have a go, no prior experience is necessary. Training takes place throughout the winter at Half Moon Stud, Motcombe, nr. Shaftesbury. If you would like to know more, please contact Liesel on secretary@britishcarriagedog society.co.uk
Alison Wright, The BCDS founder, with her dog Bess Image: Karen Lawson
From horseshoes to homeware...
How a local blacksmith founded a family business that grew into one of the UK’s largest retailers of cookware, kitchenware and kitchen electrics
Harts of Stur are thrilled to be the Main Ring Sponsors for this year’s Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show. While we are a leading retailer of cookware, kitchenware, and kitchen electricals both online and in-store, our company has deep roots in the world of agriculture.
Established in Sturminster Newton in 1919, our fourth-generation family business originally started as the town’s blacksmith, specialising in shoeing horses, repairing cartwheels, and handling general repair work. In the 1950s, we expanded into retailing agricultural ironmongery and manufacturing basic farm implements. Our products, such as yard scrapers and feed trailers, gained popularity in the UK farming community and were showcased at major county shows including the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show, the Royal Show, and the Dairy Show at Olympia. Our high-quality farm equipment even attracted Royal attention.
Today, Harts is a modern and thriving countryside department store, offering a wide range of products including DIY tools, camping gear, country fashion, work clothing, gardening items, and kitchenware. We are well known for our excellent customer service and have received several awards over the years. Additionally, visitors can enjoy a rest at our Coffee Loft, located on the first floor above the garden department, where they can savour freshly brewed coffee, cake, or a light lunch.
Our online journey began back in 1995, making us one of the first businesses to have a transactional website (it even had an article written about it in the Telegraph). Since then, we have expanded our online presence, now offering over 30,000 products from more than 250 brands. While initially specialising in
kitchenware and cookware, we have recently broadened our product range to include fashion, homewares and gifting to give our online customers greater choice. Our Trustpilot profile, boasting 16,000+ reviews and a stellar rating of 4.9 out of 5, establishes us as a top-ranking player in categories such as kitchenware shop, department store, and homewares shop. Harts of Stur takes pride in being associated with the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show. Just like the show, we have grown, expanded, and adapted over the years. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!
Walter Hart, the founder of Harts of Stur, was the town’s blacksmith. His original tools and anvil are still on display in the store.
The G&S insider’s guide on what not to miss!
We spoke to the G&S show team to get the inside track on the Show – here’s their top tips on what not to miss this year when you dare to move away from the Main Ring:
The cattle and sheep lines
At its heart, the G&S is still very much an agricultural show. Even if you’re not a farmer, the sheep and cattle competitions are fascinating to watch, and make sure you take a wander along the lines afterwards - most breeders are happy to chat about their livestock and answer any questions you have. Don’t be shy - there are no stupid questions.
• HOW TO SEE THEM:
The cattle and sheep lines are to the side of the main show area, you can
As well as the static display of steam engines and vintage tractors, favourites like the Littlegem Foster and Garrett 4NHP Tractor will be parading in the Main Ring!
find them easily on the map. Judging starts at 8.30am, and continues through til late morning on both days.
The Grand Parade
Keeping on the Agriculture theme, the Grand Parade of Livestock, sponsored by Farnfield’s Solicitors, will proudly return to the Harts of Stur Main Ring. Watch as all of the days champions and prize-winning livestock parade around the ring! It is a spectacle not to be missed.
• HOW TO SEE THEM: The Harts of Stur Main Ring, both days, 3pm
The Dog Ring
Sitting almost halfway between the Main Ring and the Turnpike Ring, don’t miss the Dog Agility Ring. It has a full day’s timetable of demonstrations throughout the day in Fitpaws, gundog, scentwork and agility! Run by Dogwise Training School, based in Mere, who will also have their amazing dog shop set up: they assure us there’ll be bargains to be had for every dog owner – and a charity tombola.
• HOW TO SEE THEM:
The Dog Agility Ring, both days, with regular demos from 10am to 3pm
Ferret & terrier racing
Over in the Turnpike Ring, you’ll know when the ferret racing starts: laughter will start to ripple across the showground as the crowd gathers to watch the furry creatures race down drainpipes. Top tip – it’s the first tail out, not the nose, that wins!
And the terrier racing is always a highlight, with Bill Galpin’s renowned commentary despairing of the abilities
of the entrants. And all dogs are welcome to try out their jump race skills, it’s not just for terriers!
• HOW TO SEE THEM: The Turnpike Ring, both days, with regular races from 10am to 4.30pm
Children’s Turnpike Trail
To celebrate the Showground’s 30th birthday we have a fun trail designed for children – although anyone can take part! Find the 30 clues around the showground to make up a phrase.
• HOW TO DO IT:
Keep your eyes peeled as you explore the showground
Thank you for the music
Don’t forget when you stop for a break to do so near some music! We have live bands performing all day on the Music Stage, and on the Bandstand there will be regular performances from our local Gillingham Imperial Silver Band, The Jelly Roll Jazz Band (a traditional Dixieland jazz trio) and also the award-winning Significance Sign Choir.
• HOW TO SEE THEM:
The Music Stage has regular performances from 10.30am, both days
WEDNESDAY 14th
MAIN RING TURNPIKE RING
MUSIC STAGE
CATTLE
BANDSTAND
08:30 1-3: Ridden Hunter 10:30 4: Irish Draught 11:30 5-7: Working Hunter 14:30 8-9: ROR Classes 16:00 10-11: Open Ridden Cobs RING A 13:00 12: ROR In Hand 14:00 13-14: Irish Draught In Hand RING A sponsored by Thales sponsored by Gartell & Sons
8:30 Young Handlers Classes 9:00 Beef Cattle Classes
SHEEP
8:30 Young Handlers Classes 9:00 Commercial Classes
THURSDAY 15th
MAIN RING
TURNPIKE
MUSIC STAGE
CATTLE
SHEEP
BANDSTAND
The insider’s tips for the G&S Show!
Your quick cheat sheet to the essentials of your show day – it’s the Show Team’s round up of everyone’s most frequently asked questions:
DOWNLOAD YOUR TICKETS!
The signal can be shaky within the showground: to ensure quick and easy entry, make sure you have downloaded your digital tickets to your phone before you leave home!
BRING
SOME CASH!
Again, signal is patchy – relying on contactless can be hit and miss. Back up cash is a good idea.
MAKE A PLAN!
Take some time to look at the timetables and map, and make a note of the times and places for those you don’t want to miss. Main Ring attractions are popular, so you might want to bring a chair and bag yourself a spot at ringside!
BRING A BOTTLE!
Thanks to Battens Solicitors there will be free Water Points around the ground –bring your re-fillable bottle, and ensure you stay hydrated. It’s a long day!
DISABLED ACCESS.
There is no specific disabled parking – if you have a blue badge you will be directed as near as possible to the show site entrance in each car park. Pre-booked mobility scooters should be collected from just inside Gate 1.
WE LOVE YOUR DOG!
Well-behaved dogs are of course welcome – but on a short lead, and
under control at all times. Please note that NO dogs are permitted within the Cattle or Sheep areas, or in marquees.
BACK UP PLAN!
Because mobile signal is shaky, before you arrive agree a plan with your family or friends in case you get separated –perhaps set a What3Words, and a time to meet up.
Handy What3Words locations for you:
• Show Office: regime.perplexed.sifts
• Gate 1, Main Entrance: screeches.rare.tutorial
• Red Car Park: advising.curtail.florists
• Green Car Park pedestrian entrance: prepares.aliens.tonight
• Gate 6, Purple Car Park: backlog.serenade.handlebar
• Gate 8, Red Car Park: hourglass.stated.rainbow
• Blue Car Park: bulldozer.beans.inner
• Turnpike Ring: footpath.hunk.mingles
• Main Ring: reduction.inflation.amounting
HAVE A GOOD TIME!
Do share your pictures on social media
– use #GandS2024, and tag us in so we can share them: on both Facebook and Instagram we’re @GillinghamandShaftesburyShow
Wednesday
night is party night at G&S!
Stay on after the showground closes at 6pm on Wednesday 14th for a great night out! Enjoy plenty of live music, and there will of course be bars and food options available throughout the evening around the Music Stage. From 5.30pm popular local covers band Mustang Sally will be playing hits from The Beatles through to The Killers as the show closes and the evening gets going. At 7pm we welcome Fair Play – a high energy six piece band performing disco, pop, funk and northern soul, they’re guaranteed to get the dance floor jumping. Lastly, Big Brass Ska will be on at 9pm to finish off what is set to be an amazing evening. Your day ticket lasts into the night too, or you can get special Wednesday Late Entry tickets for an incredible afternoon and evening at the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show! These allow entry to the main show from 3pm, and you can join us after the gates close for a night of music, food & drink.
Meet Rodmead Prague –star of the cattle ring
When Angus Neish left the Army in the 1990s, he decided to follow the family farming tradition –and subsequently to honour his
The Aberdeen Angus breed (or Angus as it is known internationally) was developed in the early part of the 19th Century from the polled and predominantly black cattle of north east Scotland known locally as “doddies” and “hummlies”.
Aberdeen Angus cattle are naturally polled (without horns) and they can be black or red, although black is the dominant colour. They are resistant to harsh weather, make superb mothers and known to be undemanding, adaptable and good natured cattle.
Scottish background by breeding the famous black cattle named after his father’s home county, for which he himself was named.
Rodmead Prague with handler Johnny Ward and owner Angus Neish
Angus runs an arable business and an awardwinning herd of pedigree Aberdeen Angus cattle at the 1,800 acre Rodmead Farm near Maiden Bradley, below a range of spectacular chalk downs north of Mere (its beautiful gardens were open for the National Gardens Scheme for the first time this year).
Angus, whose army career was mostly in tanks (nicknamed ‘the cavalry’), bought the
farm in 1995. At that time, there were a lot of sheep and a suckler herd, but after the stockman left, he took a new direction. He started the Aberdeen Angus herd in 2002: “They are the best breed,” he says.
Over the ensuing 22 years, Angus has established the Rodmead Aberdeen Angus herd as an outstanding example of these handsome cattle. The herd, now totalling 200,
includes 80 breeding cows. Much of the breeding is by the embryo transfer system – taking embryos from good pedigree cows to be carried by surrogate mothers. This system ensures many more good offspring, he says.
Show success
He has had many successes at shows around the region and further afield over the years. Major awards came for Angus bull Rodmead Prague, who won the breed championship at the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show in 2023 and went on to be the Aberdeen Angus champion at that year’s Royal Highland Show. This year Prague is taking a rest from the show ring – although perhaps “rest” is not the right word, as he will be fulfilling his other and important role as a champion bull!
This year the Rodmead herd will be
represented at G&S by two young heifers, who have been prepared for their show appearance by Johnny Ward, a very experienced cattle showman from Somerset. Johnny has been showing Rodmead animals for some years and is an expert in preparing them for the cattle lines – and, hopefully, the afternoon grand parade in the main ring. The show year begins early for the chosen animals, says Angus. They are selected as early in the year as January and the preparations start with clipping their coats properly and ensuring they have the right diet to be in peak condition on show day.
As well as supervising the preparations, Johnny also needs to train the show animals to walk with a halter, for judging – and for the parade, if they do well.
Happy 30th birthday, Turnpike Showground!
The Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show might be approaching its centenary, but it’s 30 years since it moved to a permanent home at Turnpike Showground.
Gillingham Agricultural Society’s show started near Station Road, and in 1909 moved to Harry Allard’s field at the top of Hardings Lane. Shaftesbury’s show also changed locations several times, from the livestock market to various fields, including Reg Burton’s farm at Barton Hill next to Christy’s Lane –
now covered with houses, but one of the streets is named Fair Field!
In 1930 the two societies merged, and the show alternated between Gillingham and Shaftesbury. After a couple of very wet Gillingham shows, a new site at Stock was found, belonging to Arthur Brain, but a larger site was soon required so the show moved across the road onto land belonging to Bob Light, Herbert Green and Gerry Sanger.
Shaftesbury outgrew the Barton Hill site and moved to Canfield Farm,
Regrettably there are no pictures of the ground in original condition. This is the first picture taken from the Main Gate, and shows how wet the ground can be
Trevor Trim with a proper Case tractor and trailer – the soil being moved was to fill the depressions and to level up important areas
home of the Young family. This was a very large level field site that made an ideal showground – except all traffic had to use a single approach road, with the inevitable problems of long traffic queues. The show would probably still be at Canfield but for Dorset County
Council’s plan to build a by-pass for Spread Eagle Hill and Melbury Abbas, which would have crossed the show site – the county is still waiting for the bypass!
After much discussion, the search was on for a permanent showground. In 1993 the Society
took the bold step of purchasing 90 acres at Manor Farm, Motcombe. This was not without its critics – one leading land agent complained that it was “the wettest and roughest land in North Dorset”. And it was quite true – it hadn’t been farmed in years, the hedges were overgrown,
In go the drainage pipes: Lew Pearce at the controls of the chain bucket excavator with Dennis Pearce assisting as they dig a narrow trench just wide enough to drop in the pipe about a metre deep. Then it is filled in with 1½ clean stone, to enable the surface water to soak down to the pipe and into the ditch
some of the ditches were filled with builders’ rubble, and worse still there were long depressions across the main field – a bit like traditional water meadows … only deeper … and wider.
It might have been the most unlikely site for a show ground, but the access and location were ideal. Brian Young and local contractor Lou Pearce led the transformation. They worked on the drainage, filled the depressions, levelled the land and prepared it for the first show. After nearly two years of hard work, Turnpike Showground was ready. Today, Turnpike Showground is a bustling hub for the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show and is used all year round for other events. Here’s to 30 years of memories and many more to come!
Building the cattle lines was very labour intensive, and for years the wooden posts, rails and sheep hurdles had been auctioned off after the show each year. Then the decision to store in a box trailer meant rails and posts split and points snapped off.
Eventually, it was decided to install permanent rows of concrete posts and galvanised steel water pipes. The build team, l to r - Roy
‘They said it went down better if it were raining’ – Sam Braddick seems quite happy going back and forth from Main Gate towards Gate 2
Drake, Ron Warren, Donald Hinks, Trevor Trim, Peter Prideaux
Legs at all four corners!
‘I was set on being a farmer,’ says sheep judge Mark Blakeney. ‘Texels were the up and coming breed when I started.’
If you watch sheep judging at an agricultural show like the Gillingham & Shaftesbury, you will always see the judge standing behind the animal, bending over, hands on knees, looking straight at its woolly bottom.
The judge is making sure the sheep is ‘standing square – with all four legs at a corner,’ says experienced Texel judge Mark Blakeney, who farms near Mere with his flock of about 50 Texels.
Judges also look for a good mouth and teeth – ‘so they can graze grass well.’
They check if the animal has straight legs – no knock knees allowed! – and that it stands well on its feet.
Preparing Texels for showing is a fairly easy job, and they are relatively straightforward for the judge: they are what is known as carcase sheep, ie. bred for meat not wool – although it is good wool, says Mark. Preparing sheep with more wool, such as the picturesque Lincoln Long Wool, is much more
demanding on the showman – and the judge.
If you don’t know what a Texel is, they are a medium-sized, white-faced breed with no wool on the head or legs, and are now the most popular breed in this country. It is also the most expensive sheep to buy and rear, as the blood lines are tightly controlled – on 28th August 2020 a world record price of £368,000 for a sheep was set after a six-month-old Texel ram was sold during the Scottish National Texel Sale. The breed originates from the island of Texel, the largest of the Wadden Islands off the north coast of the Netherlands. They have been bred and farmed in the UK for around 50 years.
Preparing sheep with more wool, such as the picturesque Lincoln Long Wool, is much more demanding on the showman – and the judge.
Mark Blakeney comes from a family with livestock connections – his father ran Case & Sons, the former bacon factory and abattoir at Motcombe – but he is a first-generation farmer.
‘I was set on being a farmer,’ he says. ‘Texels were the up and coming breed when I started.’ He’s worked with them for more than 20 years.
The business of becoming a judge is down to the shepherd’s showing experience –after a few years of successful showing, someone will suggest you might have a go at judging. Mark took up the challenge when asked, and has now been a Texel judge for ten years.
Sheep with more wool – like these Swiss Valais Black Nose who were winners at the 2023 G&S show –require more demanding preparation for judging
Crossed with Lincoln, Leicester and Wensleydales in the late 19th century, the native breed developed into a heavy and muscular sheep. The British Texel is a medium sized sheep with a long rectangular body, known for its hardy and docile nature.
Get to know G&S show organiser Cat Harris in 19 random questions ...
Last year, Cat Harris became the first female show secretary in the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Society’s history. With an impressive background in live events, including experience working in London’s West End and the corporate world, 30-year-old Cat brought a wealth of expertise and passion to her new role. Originally from London, she was inspired to join the team by her Dorset-born husband’s lifelong dedication to the event. Tom’s family are local farmers and he spent his teens volunteering at the show, embodying the deep commitment that has made the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show a beloved tradition for local families for generations.
1. What’s your relationship with Gillingham and Shaftesbury (the area not the show!)?
I’m a long-time attendee, of course, but I now head up the team and am the only full time member of staff.
2. What was the last film you watched?
Chef. I would very much recommend it – it’s not a particularly deep film, but it has funny moments and it’s a feel-good celebration of food.
3. What shop can you not pass without going in?
A bookshop. Especially little quirky ones. Bonus points if there’s coffee too.
4. What’s the best biscuit for dunking?
A McVitie’s Digestive!
5. It’s Friday night - you have the house to yourself, and no work is allowed. What are you going to do? I’m going to make a giant bowl of pasta and then read a paperback in the bath.
6. What little luxury would you buy with £10?
A flat white and a cinnamon bun.
7. What’s the most difficult part of your job?
It’s a bit of a juggling act. There are so many jobs involved – one minute you’re thinking about the logistics of putting on the event and then the next you’re talking to an exhibitor about the rules and regulations around entering their horse. Then you might be designing some banners, or sorting out the judging books for show day ... but that’s also why I really enjoy it.
8. Favourite animal at the show?
Probably cattle. I have to admit that the Longhorns and the Highlands are my favourites.
9. What’s your most annoying trait?
I asked Tom (Cat’s husband) for the answer on this one. Apparently I’m stubborn. And relentless.
10.The last song you sang out loud in your car? It was Iron Sky by Paolo Nutini.
11. What’s your best G&S Show memory?
Not directly related to a show day, but we’ve started doing Working Saturdays once a month on the showground, where we do various maintenance jobs. As it’s always a Saturday morning, volunteers and office staff bring along their children: seeing a bunch of underfives making themselves at home and forming firm friendships has been really cute.
12. What’s your secret superpower?
I’ve got a slightly photographic memory – which comes in quite useful sometimes!
13. What book did you read last year that stayed with you?
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stewart. It’s not an easy read, but I loved the fact that it’s an unflinching look at unemployment, alcoholism, poverty and the difficulty of familial relationships.
14. What is your comfort meal?
When I can’t be bothered to cook, some really great bread with loads of salted butter. When I can be bothered – sweet chilli chicken with egg fried rice.
15. Your favourite quote?
‘Grown-ups don’t look like grown ups on the inside either. Outside, they’re big and thoughtless and they always know what they’re doing. Inside, they look just like they always have. Like they did when they were your age. The truth is, there aren’t any grownups. Not one, in the whole wide world.’ It’s from The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
16. Chip shop chips or a home baked cake?
Chip shop chips. With a ton of vinegar please.
17. What in life is frankly a mystery to you?
People who don’t do hot drinks. My husband is one of these people: it still astounds me.
18. You have the ability to book one act tomorrow, money no object and they have to say yes, for the main ring. Who are you going to book?
The dancing diggers! Lou (part of the office team) and I both have young boys. Our dream this year was to book the dancing diggers –one for another year, maybe …
’People who don’t do hot drinks. My husband is one of these people: it still astounds me.’
19. If you weren’t organising an agricultural show, then you’d like to be …
... an upholsterer! I started training a few years ago. It takes time and patience and I love the traditional craft of it. I love seeing a chair take shape – and getting to choose fabrics is of course a bonus!
Cat’s favourite animals at the G&S Show are the Longhorn cattle - seen here in the Grand Parade
