Crowds flock to Simonside Country Fair

The annual show, which donates all of its proceeds to local charities, had a fun-filled agenda, including fell-racing, a tug o’war challenge and Simonside’s world-famous International Egg Throwing Competition.

Visitors to this year’s fair, which took place last Sunday, came from as far away as Australia and South Africa to compete or simply enjoy the spectacle.

Organisers were delighted with the total attendance this year, counting the highest number of vehicles on to the show field since records began.

Judges and visitors were similarly impressed with the high standard and quality of entries at the Make, Bake and Grow tent.

Rosie Ayre took the award for best overall child exhibitor, while Julie Famelton repeated her success last year by collecting the adult prize.

The ever popular sheep show drew large crowds once again, as did the superb display of traditional dressed sticks and the well-organised Cumberland wrestling tournament.

Other favourites at this year’s Country Fair included archery, clay shooting, the Rothbury Highland Pipe Band, a collection of vintage steam engines, an impressive falconry display and terrier racing.

Country Fair chairman Jamie Whicker said: “The Simonside Country Fair continues to top Northumberland’s shows, giving 100 per cent of its proceeds to local charities and worthwhile good causes.

“The Olympian efforts of our sponsors and supporters have generously made 2016 yet another bumper year.

Even the weather here was better than Rio! The Simonside Country Fair will be back on the second Sunday in August 2017, setting even more records and raising many more thousands of pounds in support of local organisations and local people.”

The Simonside Country Fair is run on an entirely voluntary basis and typically raises around £5,000 for local charities. For more details about the event, visit www.simonsidefair.co.uk