Saturday 26 August 2017

Sadness

Today has been quite a sad day for me really.   It is The Wensleydale Show day.   The Show is held about half a mile from the farm so easily within walking distance for the farmer who I think has been every year since he was a very small boy.

Before the Show he would also go along to the West Witton Show where for some years he was judge of the hay and vegetable classes.

He would go first to West Witton, where he would be plied with a cup of tea and a piece of home-made cake.   He would return home, put the car away and then walk up to the Showground and look at the various exhibitions, the cattle, the sheep, the heavy horses, the machinery, the various show tents with vegetables, home made produce, flowers and the like.   Then he would gravitate towards his Feed Merchants where he would enjoy a lunch of pork pie, sandwiches and home-made cake and leave with a handful of named biros which would last him through until next year's show.

This year of course he is gone.   But friend W and I went out for a lunch of a toasted sandwich (brie, streaky bacon and cranberry sauce) which was absolutely delicious served with salad and crisps.
Coming back we came again through West Witton and I was reminded that their Show Day ends with the Burning of Bartle  (www.Burning of Bartle.org.uk) which involves parading the figure through the streets of the village and finally burning it on the side of Penn Hill ('on Penhill Crags we burnt his rags')- all a bit macabre really.

Home again my neighbour (aged 7) and my little friend came round to show me that he had won a Second and three Thirds Rosettes in the Competitions - a picture of a tree, a painting of a crocodile, an edible necklace and a miniature garden.   He was quite justifiably proud of his achievements.   So Well done Liam.   His little brother, who is three, got a First prize rosette for a plasticine model of a dinosaur.   Isn't it lovely to see children still participating in these events?

30 comments:

donna baker said...

It sounds festive and it must be comforting that it carries on though you know how much the Farmer would have loved to visit. Your sandwich made me hungry. Off for lunch now. Sweet that Liam came to proudly show you his winnings.

Living Alone in Your 60's said...

What a wonderful day out albeit tinged with sadness of memories past. Your sandwich sounds delicious.

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

"First's" are difficult. So glad your little friend came over to help brighten up your spirits.

Rachel Phillips said...

And so another little boy starts out.

galant said...

So glad you managed to attend the Show, it will have been difficult for you, but you went, that's the main thing. Next year it might prove just that bit easier. I hope so, but my thoughts are with you.
Margaret P
www.margaretpowling.com

Sue in Suffolk said...

I do love hearing about your lunches - always sounding so delicious, and well done to that little fella for winning rosettes for his show entries - a good age to start entering shows.
I'd love to know how The Farmer judged hay - I always used to pick up a handful and sniff it - wonderful smell, although I'm quite glad to not have the hay-making worry every year.

Terra said...

How sweet Liam shared his joy in winning with you. All of these "firsts" can be sad days, I dread my husband's birthday coming up soon, my first without him. Have a peaceful Sunday.

Jules said...

I do hope your little friend Liam was able to relieve your sadness a little, albeit momentarily. X

Jill said...

A hug to you.

Joanne Noragon said...

Firsts are so hard. Next year you may smile, remembering the Farmer and the Fair.

Bonnie said...

Hugs and warm thoughts.

Bonnie said...

My dad judged garden produce and flowers at our local county fair for years. Don't for a minute think you are the only one to miss him as fair season rolls around. My dad passed in 1985 and people still comment to me that they miss seeing him. Even if they didn't know the Farmer well, he will always be a part of their fair experience for those individuals. I'm happy the tradition continues.

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

It is understandable that this would be a sad day. He must have loved the whole ambiance of the fair. Well done on the little fellow and his brother! I like that children still enter fall fair competitions. -Jenn

Cro Magnon said...

I used to love our annual village show. I too entered a miniature garden (in a saucer) every year, and I believe I won a few times. Well done Liam.

Sue said...

Yes, I can imagine you would have felt a bit sad yesterday. Certain events will always highlight your loss.

Virginia said...

All those 'firsts' are difficult, Pat, but you went, and he wouldn't have wanted you to avoid it - they are shared memories after all. And Well Done Liam! So good that youngsters learn how caring for living things well result in healthy new life - hopefully in time that message will raise everyone's awareness of how important good, sustainable farm practises are.

Unknown said...
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thelma said...

Still the world goes on and Liam carries it forth. Sadness topped with joy, isn't that what life is all about?

Derek Faulkner said...

Thelma got it dead right, forwards instead of backwards. Liam could go on to be the new Farmer.

Tom Stephenson said...

It is only the first show since he left, Weave. It will get easier.

Gwil W said...

I just watched on YouTube "Burning Bartle West Witton Wensleydale" (8min 46secs). It involves a lot of boozing! There's even a bagpiper! Great stuff.

Minigranny said...

I agree with Thelma's comment. So glad you are getting out for lovely meals with your friends and for the company of small children!

Marie said...

You are going through the year of "Firsts" and my thoughts and prayers are with you now at this particularly difficult time. Having gone through it myself, I think I know somewhat how you feel, Hugs from Canada

The Weaver of Grass said...

I have told Liam how everyone was pleased to hear his news. His chest puffed out with pride!
Thanks for all your kind words of comfort.

Unknown said...

So glad you managed to attend the Show, it will have been difficult for you, but you went, that's the main thing. Next year it might prove just that bit easier. I hope so, but my thoughts are with you.หนังตลก

Iris said...

I am a little bit late to the party, but I still wanted to comment. It is sad to see one life go but I am delighted about your friendship with little Liam. It shows you that life goes on. All the best to you.

Heather said...

I can imagine your sadness Pat, but how sweet that your little friends had won prizes for their entries to the children's competitions and came round to share their successes with you.

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

All we can do is encourage the next generation to pick up where we leave off . And enjoy their company .

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