Autumn Show
Uploaded December 2008

The Autumn Show held on the East of England showground at Peterborough took place this year on Sunday 12th October. Having packed the Land rover the night before with all we would need, it was only just beginning to get light when Hector and I went out soon after 6 a.m. to load the pigs onto the
trailer. Luckily they are both old hands at this, and went straight up the ramp. We were only showing Meg, my Mermaid sow for fun, as she is probably past her prime now, but we were also taking with us our new young boar which we have on-loan from Sharon at the moment.

We set off in the fog, but as we headed along the A14 the sun started to come through and soon it was a lovely morning, and that is how it stayed all day, after some awful weather at shows this season, we had a perfect warm and sunny autumn day. We arrived about 8.45 on the ground and unloaded the pigs, and said "heIlo" to everyone, this really is a nice way to end the season, if anyone else ever feels like giving it a go, the steward is always so helpful, and it is a very relaxed, laid-back event.

The judge this year was Berkshire breeder Sharon Barnfield, and it was particularly nice to see Lewis, who hasn't been about much this year. The showing started with the White classes, but l will just give the results for the Coloureds.

Class 1 Pure Bred Sow 7 entries
1) Geoff Howes Stoneymoor Melody 99 (Tamworth)
2) Andy Bunivell Gillbeck Lottie 178 (Saddleback)
3) HMP North Sea Camp Colonyfreiston (Blacklady (LB)
4) Jo Wykes-Sneyd Kilcot Mermaid (Berkshire)
5) Andy Bunivell Pantyseawen Babble (Saddleback)
6) Stratton School Farm Stratton Excelsa 4 (Berkshire)

It was very nice to see this new exhibitor in the ring with a pretty sow, and I very much hope we shall see more of them in the future.

As Sharon had bred my sow, after she judged the class, Guy Kiddy came into the ring and judged independently from her, before they agreed on the final line-up. This also happened in the boar class.

Class 2 September born Gilt 5 entries
1) Geoff Howes Stoneymoor Melody 22 (Tamworth)
2) HMP North Sea Camp Colonyfreiston Jewel (LB)
3) Kiddy & Son Balsham Anna 7 (Hampshire)
4) Peter Churchyard Breckles Jewel 83 (LB)

Class 3 January born Gilt 9 entries
1) Andy Burwell Stoke Doyle Babble 153 (Saddleback)
2) Geoff Howes Stoneymoor Jacqueline 25 (Tamworth)
3) Andy Burwell Stoke Doyle Lottie 166 (Saddleback)
4) Peter Churchyard Colonyfreiston Black Lady 18 (LB)
5) Kiddy & Son Balsham Precious (Hampshire)
6) Andy Burwell Stoke Doyle Babble 152 (Saddleback)

Class 4 Pure Bred Boar 3 entries
1) Peter Churchyard Breckles Majestic 20 (LB)
2) Jo Wykes-Sneyd Kilcot Ambassador 13 (Berkshire)
3) Carol Knights Alsa Sambo 884 (GOS)

Champion Coloured Male Breckles Majestic 20 (LB)
Reserve Kilcot Ambassador (Berkshire)

Champion Coloured Female Stoneymoor Melody 99 (Tamworth)
Reserve Stoke Doyle Babble 152 (Saddleback)

Champion Male Pig Breckles Majestic 20 (LB)
Reserve Colonyfreiston Soveriegn (Middle White)

Champion Female Pig Stoneymoor Melody 99 (Tamworth)
Reserve Withersfield Royal Catalina 19 (L\/\/)

Supreme Champion Stoneymoor Melody 99 (Tamworth)
Reserve Withersfield Royal Catalina 19 (L\/\/)
Supreme Champion opposite sex to the winner Breckles Majestic 20 (LB)

Including the white pigs, there were a good number of animals forward for such a late show, and it took Sharon over three hours to complete some extremely thorough judging. We would like to thank her very much for coming all the way from Gloucestershire and hope she enjoyed her day.

Hector and I loaded up again and left the showground about 3.45 and trundled home. Funnily enough, we arrived back in fog too but this what can happen at this time of the year after a particularly warm day. It would be very nice to see some more breeds at this show in 2009, it really does make for a good day out.

Jo Wykes-Sneyd