Scheduled for Sunday August 20, the Lakeland Country Fair will take place in Torver, near Coniston.
It is a popular event amongst both regional people and visitors and takes pride in the customs of Cumbrian Culture.Entry prices are just £5 for adults and £3 for children, with free car parking available.
The site is at Little Arrow, Torver, on the A593, about half a mile on from the T junction with the A5084.
This year the primary display is a Fell Pony Display and they will be providing a display in the Main Ring at 12.30 p.m. and then again at 2.15 p.m. They will also have a stand throughout the afternoon where people can come and see the horses close-up and get information about them.
Likewise in the main ring there will be the conventional parade of Fell Foxhounds and Beagles, the Tug-of-War, and a Gun Dog display.
The Lakeland Country Fair prides itself on being a showcase for traditional Cumbrian skills and activities, so visitors will be able to watch demonstrations of sheep-clipping, stickmaking, rug weaving, swill basket making, spinning, felting and watercolour painting.
Among the competitive events are a Terrier, Lurcher and Whippet Show, Fell Foxhound and Beagle Shows, Family Dog Show, a Stick Show, Senior and Junior Fell Races, Cumberland & Westmorland Wrestling, Egg Throwing and a Horn-blowing competition. Instead of the usual Children’s Sports this year there will again be a Children’s Sports Challenge Competition, with several challenges to compete for and prizes to be won in each age category. This will go on for much of the afternoon, so the children can keep going back if they want to improve their scores.
The Fell races for Juniors and Seniors are always very popular, with the Junior races starting at 1 p.m. and the Senior Race, which takes the runners to the top of Coniston Old Man and back, starting at 2.30 p.m. There will also be the ever-popular Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling, which starts at 2 p.m.
With classes for Best Costume and a Ladies’ class as well as the various age and weight categories, this always attracts an appreciative crowd. At the end of the afternoon will be the spectacle of Terrier Racing in the Main Ring.
There will be plenty of Trade Stands (the show is almost fully booked) and of course there will be home-made refreshments, a barbecue and a licensed bar. With an entry fee of just £5 for adults (£3 for school-age children) and free car parking, this show is excellent value for a day out! For more information look at the website www.lakelandcountryfair.co.uk.
The show opens officially at 12 noon.
A former British Military Officer, Eddie went on to study History and then Journalism at Sheffield Hallam University. A keen outdoorsman, he has co-written several books on Outdoor Survival and Wild Camping. Now living in Penrith, Ed is a keen fellrunner.
