Non-stop entertainment ensures Bower Show is bigger and better than ever
The Bower Show lived up to its promise that it would be bigger and better than ever this year.
The entertainment never stopped from Saturday morning until the early hours and the organisers praised everyone who donated, volunteered and supported the annual event.
Rain did threaten to make an appearance but the weather proved favourable.
The day’s programme began with the dog show and an impressive 26 dogs were entered.
NRG Dance entertained the spectators as they awaited the arrival of the king, Callum Sewell-Mcphee, and the princess, Lacey Sewell-Mcphee, who were piped in by Lewis Deering.
Bower head teacher Sylvie Sinclair opened the show before handing over the microphone to Willie Mackay in his role as master of ceremonies.
From the children’s play area to vintage vehicles, there was something for all ages. Caithness Animal Farm Park proved to be a popular attraction and some show-goers had a go with Caithness Archers.
Adding to the occasion were Pentland Brass Band, Tanya Horne’s dancers, Caithness Gymnastics and Wick Young Fiddlers.
Activities around the field included kids’ races, a bowling game, egg-throwing and the Scottish national bale-push.
Inside there was a fine display of industrial entries, although slightly down on last year.
Bower Young Farmers’ exchange with Carluke Young Farmers coincided with the show and the visiting club received a warm welcome.
Local band Rain in Summer played at night.
Dorothy Allan, from the organising committee, said: “We would like to thank everyone who helped make the show a success – those who donated, helped set up, volunteered or supported us on the day and those that helped pack up on Sunday.
“An immense amount of work goes into putting on such an event and we couldn’t do it without the fantastic support of the community.”
Willie Mackay said: “It was a great wee show. We didn’t see a lot of sunshine but it was dry on the day with wonderful family entertainment.”
Bower Show 2024 results:
Handicrafts – Item of cross-stitch: 1, 2 Kate Rattray. A knitted scarf: 1, 2 Jessie Swanson; 3 Jackie Donaldson. Item of crochet: 1, Jodie Anderson; 2, 3 Emma Sewell.
Painting – Watercolour: 1, 2, 3 Gillian Coghill. Acrylic/oil: 1, Gillian Coghill; 2 Kate Rattray; 3 Julie Mackay. Picture, any other medium: Elizabeth Magden.
Item of needle felt: 1 Claire Henderson; 2 Michelle Swanson. Decorated jar to hold a tealight: 1 Hazel Roberts; 2 Michelle Swanson.
Best handicraft exhibit: Jodie Anderson (crochet). Most points: Kate Rattray.
Best exhibit in art: Gillian Coghill (acrylic/oil).
Baking – Three cheese twists: 1 Donna Mackay; 2, 3 Carol Gunn. Three scones, any flavour, all the same: 1 Donna Mackay; 2 Kate Rattray; 3 Adelle Swanson.
Jar of jam, any flavour: 1 Carol Gunn; 2 Donna Mackay; 3 Adelle Swanson. Individual quiche: 1 Carol Gunn; 2, 3, Donna Mackay.
Four truffles, any flavour: 1 Hazel Roberts; 2 Abbie Dunnet; 3 Carol Gunn. Madeira cake: 1 Irene Ryrie; 2 Donna Mackay; 3 Carol Gunn.
Three shortbread: 1 Jodie Anderson; 2 Irene Ryrie; 3 Dorothy Allan.
Best baking exhibit: Jodie Anderson (shortbread). Most points: Donna Mackay.
Photographs – Animal antics: 1 Julie Mackay; 2 Charli Alexander; 3 Carol Gunn. Black and white: 1 Claire Henderson; 2 Andrea O’Kane; 3 Fergus Silverwood.
Photo for a postcard: 1 Andrea O’Kane; 2 Julie Mackay; 3 Carol Gunn. Peek-a-boo: 1 Kate Rattray; 2, 3 Claire Henderson.
By the sea: 1 Claire Henderson; 2 Julie Mackay; 3 Carol Gunn. Photograph with a caption: 1, 2 Carol Gunn; 3 Claire Henderson.
Best photo exhibit: Claire Henderson (black and white). Most points: Claire Henderson.
Pot plants – Cactus: Sharon Dismore. Succulent: Sharon Dismore.
Foliage plant: Donna Mackay. Vase of cut flowers: 1 Donna Mackay; 2 Claire Henderson; 3 Karen Dunn. Single rose (cut flower): 1, 2 Karen Dunn; 3 Jane Clarke.
Any other flowering indoor plant: 1, 2 Karen Dunn; 3 Claire Henderson.
Plate of home-grown veg: 1, 2, Donna Mackay; 3 Karen Dunn.
Best exhibit: Donna Mackay (plate of veg). Most points: Donna Mackay and Karen Dunn.
Floral arrangements – Bridal bouquet: Dorothy Allan. My favourite colour: Karen Dunn.
Oops-a-daisies: Karen Dunn. All by myself (single flower): Dorothy Allan.
Best floral exhibit: Dorothy Allan (bridal bouquet). Most points: Dorothy Allan and Karen Dunn,
Children’s competitions – Pre-school – Decorated wooden spoon: 1 Farryn Gunn; 2 Lottie Foubister; 3 Milo Mackay. Picture on A4 paper: 1, 2 Farryn Gunn; 3 Milo Mackay,
Animal made from “junk”: 1 Milo Mackay; 2 Eydis Ulfskar; 3 Phoenix James. Pasta necklace: 1 Heidi Rattray; 2 Farryn Gunn.
P1-3 – Painted stone: 1 Sophie Gunn; 2 Ruby Trueman. Halloween mask: 1 Jamie Barnetson; 2 Cammie Mackay.
Dragon/dinosaur, any material: 1 Cammie Mackay; 2 Jamie Barnetson; 3 Jorla Ulfskar. A medal for Olympic Games: 1 Sophie Gunn; 2 Cammie Mackay; 3 Ruby Trueman.
P4-7 – Painted stone: 1 Hazel Roberts; 2 Winter Rose: 3 Aria Trueman. Halloween mask: 1 Austin Foubister; 2 Kian Mackay; 3 John Gunn.
Dragon/dinosaur, any material: 1 Hazel Roberts; 2 Zeke Gavin; 3 Aria Trueman. A medal for Olympic Games: 1 Aria Trueman; 2 Klavs Kreslins; 3 Magnus Southall.
High school – Three rock buns: Freya Swanson. An item using seaglass: 1 Freya Swanson; 2 Katie Murray. A4 drawing/painting: Callum Sewell.
Best children’s exhibit: Hazel Roberts (painted stone). Most points: Farryn Gunn.
Best exhibit in hall: Jodie Anderson (item of crochet).
Dog show – Pedigree classes – Any variety puppy, 6-12 months: Eileen Hill, Seanna.
Any variety veteran, seven years and over: 1 Robyn MacNeill, Jinggu; 2 Karen Dunn, Beau; 3 J Henderson, Brodie.
Any variety toy, terrier or utility: 1 Isobel Wilson, Rudi; 2 L Bisset, Rosie; 3 Isobel Wilson, Otto.
Any variety gundog: 1 C Lord, Orla; 2 Donna Mackay, Rueben; 3 Kirsty Moore, Brock.
Any variety hound: 1 I & L Swanson, Beulah; 2 I & L Swanson, James.
Any variety working or pastoral: Robyn MacNeill, Jinggu.
Novelty classes – Best crossbred dog/bitch: 1 Sarah Alexander, Sid; 2 Josh Sutherland, Doris; 3 Catherine Wood, Rico.
Junior handling class: 1 Emily Macauley, Rosie; 2 Jake Sutherland, Willow; 3 Josh Sutherland, Doris.
Best rescue: 1 Catherine Wood, Rico; 2 Gwen Clifford, Tara.
Waggiest tail: 1 Eileen Hill, Seanna; 2 Catherine Wood, Rico; 3 Robyn MacNeill, Jinggu.
Most appealing eyes: 1 C Lord, Issi; 2 Jake Sutherland, Willow; 3 Kimberley, Holly.
Prettiest bitch: 1 Stacey Hart, Jess; 2 Eileen Hill, Seanna; 3 Kimberly, Holly.
Most handsome dog: 1 Donna Mackay, Reuben; 2 Sarah Alexander, Sid; 3 L Bisset, Louie.
Dog judge would most like to take home: 1 Sarah Alexander, Sid; 2 Eileen Hill, Seanna; 3 Emily Macauley, Rosie.
Trophy winners – Best in show: C Lord, Issi. Reserve best in show: Eileen Hill, Seanna.
Best puppy Eileen Hill, Seanna. Best novelty: Sarah Alexander, Sid. Best crossbreed: Sarah Alexander, Sid. Best rescue: Catherine Wood, Rico.
