Northern District Field Day

May 19, 2025 • General

A whole host of Cumbria Young Farmers and their supporters descended on The Howes, Calthwaite, on Saturday 17th May for the Northern District Field Day kindly hosted by the Messenger family and organised by Raughton Head YFC.

With over 60 competitions taking place on the day, there was plenty to see and enjoy. Gurning was a popular addition to the competition schedule with Jack from Kirklinton YFC and Abbie from Greysouthen YFC taking the men’s and women’s first places. Stephen from Drigg YFC also showed great skill in the Cumbrian Dialect competition. The YFC Live competition, where competitors had to show and talk about a skill was won by Daniel Smith and Rachael McCamish from Kirklinton YFC.

Another crowd pleaser was the Floral Art, with Greysouthen YFC’s Sienna placed 1st in the junior category with her British Isles themed floral display. Anna Morley from Skelton YFC placed 1st with her European City themed display for the inters and Lucy Wilson also from Skelton YFC placed 1st in the senior category with her display entitled “Down Under”.

Raughton Head YFC’s Joe Rowland showed great creative flair with his Open Metal Work weather vane and Joe Fosker from Wigton YFC showed exceptional skill in the Inter catergory with his log holder.

After a hectic, but fun filled day of competition the all- important results were announced and trophies were presented as follows; Raughton Head YFC won with 8498 points, ensuring that they carried off the Field Day Rally Cup. Skelton YFC came 2nd with 8173 points and Penrith YFC came 3rd with 7899 points. 4th – Kirklinton YFC (7893), 5th – Longtown YFC (7748), 6th – Wigton YFC (7710), 7th – Drigg YFC (7530), 8th – Greysouthen YFC (7456), 9th – Caldbeck YFC (7407), 10th – Aspatria YFC (6697), 11th – Walton YFC (6531), 12th – Brampton YFC (6464), 13th – Carlise YFC (6416), 14th – Egremont YFC (5727), 15th – Lamplugh YFC (5093).

Trophies

Margaret Dalton Cup for Floral Art: Skelton and Greysouthen

Kidd Cup for Highest Scorer under 16 yrs. Stock judging: Skelton

Alf Bowe Cup for Sheep Shearing: Caldbeck

Carrs Billington Cub for Highest Scoring Overall Sheep Shearing: Skelton

Pattinson Cup for Reasons in Stock judging: Kirklinton

Spillers Shield for Winning Dairy Stock judging Team: Skelton

Wade Cup for Winning Stock judging Team: Skelton

Robin Gate Memorial Trophy for Highest Scoring Beef Stock Judging Team: Kirklinton

NFU Cup for Farm Crafts: Wigton

Bushby Trophy for Farm Planning: Walton

Lady Nicholson Trophy for Club Exhibit: Skelton

Brownrigg Trophy for Under 16 yrs. Industrial: Raughton Head

Industrial Trophy for Industrial Section: Raughton Head

Cumberland Building Society Cup for Scrapbook First Place: Penrith

John Davidson Trophy for Greatest improvement in placing over previous Year: Joint Drigg, Kirklinton, Penrith Wigton

Kyle Cup for Cookery: Caldbeck

W. Bendle Trophy for Tug-of-War - Ladies: Skelton

Andrew Fisher Trophy for Tug-of-War – Men: Raughton Head

Lucy Bland Trophy for Tug of War - Junior: Kirklinton

The Andy and Gillian Potts Cup for C and W Wrestling Team: Longtown

Tom Harrington MBE Tray for Best Girl C and W Wrestler: Abbie, Kirklinton

Wharton Trophy for Best Overall C and W Wrestler: Charlie, Longtown

Keswick Outside Caterer’s Cup for First Place in Ladies Cross Country: Sadie, Skelton

Bill Teasdale Memorial Trophy for First Place in Men’s Cross Country: Jonnie Hetherington, Raughton Head

Harrington Trophy for Karaoke: Aspatria

T. L. Bell Memorial Trophy for Best Small Club at the Field Day: Brampton

Dialect Society Trophy for Dialect Competition: Stephen, Drigg

John Pattinson Cup for Farm Safety: Raughton Head

John Todd Tankard for Field Day Runners-up: Skelton

Rally Cup for Field Day Winners: Raughton Head

Field Day Co – Chair, Oliver Burbury commented “A very well done to every team competing at the Field Day. There was such a high standard at every competition, it was a fantastic day! The weather was in our favour and I’m sure that helped keep everyone in high spirits. A massive thank you to my co chair Philip Potts, secretary Josie Mitchinson and the rest of the committee.

The Raughton Head Field Day Organising Committee also commented

“The contribution from everyone involved from sponsors, to suppliers, to competitors, judges and spectators played a vital role in the success of the day, helping us provide a well organised, engaging and enjoyable event for all involved.

To the Messenger family we extend our sincere gratitude for allowing us to host at such a superb venue. Nothing has been too much trouble and Amy Wilson and the team at The Howes have gone above and beyond to welcome the young farmers, the family and friends with open arms.

The Field Day is a key date in our young farmer calendar, bringing together young farmers from across the region to take part in competitions, showcase their skills and celebrate rural life.

In challenging times for the agricultural industry, events like these are more important than ever. It is thanks to our supporters, the local community and our headline sponsor First Milk/ Nestle and sponsors A J Rickerby Contracting, Aspatria Farmers, Benson Accountants, Fibrus, Penrith and District Farmers Mart, Rowland Engineering, The HACS Group and Warrendale Wagyu that we are able to continue to offer valuable opportunities for young people to develop confidence, leadership, and a strong sense of community.”