Berkshires at Cornwall, 2004
Uploaded September 2004

Only two exhibitors and 9 pigs forward, but the contest was still good. With 2 walkovers all the concentration was focused on the July gilt class and the combined-sex January class.

All the July gilts had perfect Berkshire points and perfect underlines. Judge Dave Overton placed Sue Fildes' in-pig July gilt first with lan Todd's lovely October gilt second. The January class was rather easier for Dave to judge as lan's boar & gilt were much more forward than Sue's gilt. The Championship was therefore two pigs from each exhibitor. Sue's July gilt walked out very actively and won with lan's January boar as reserve.

In the Interbreed class for a group of three pigs there were no restrictions on what you could enter, Every show is different - at Bath & West they wanted a matched trio with one of the opposite sex. From 7 entries the winners were an exceptional trio of Saddlebacks, but Sue's mixed size trio of July boar, July gilt and Sept gilt got second ahead of 3 July Large Blacks.

This is a very friendly show enhanced by the actions of stewards Bill & Sally Lugg. Initially they supervise the parking - it's very nice to know that Bill will have ensured there will still be a space for you right there where you want it, right next to the pig lines even if you are last to arrive.

Bill & Sally also arrange a pig-stockmans tent complete with chairs, stove, BBQ etc. within the pig area. This gives a resting place where we can gather and have a drink, breakfast, snack, whatever, in those periods between and after events. Everyone contributes food / snack / drink items but Bill & Sally provide the evening BBQ steaks / sausages / burgers completely without charge.

There was a stockmans supper with a £6 charge, with expensive but inferior wine available at the bar. This supper was just a cold buffet deemed by the few who attended to be very poor value. For next year Bill has advised us that he will be offering an alternative meal of BBQ steak etc. During the show we had a collection to show our appreciation for Bill & Sally, which they will be giving to a charily of their choice.

Sue Fildes