Fantastic celebration of countryside at 172nd annual Cockermouth Show

The annual Cockermouth and District Agricultural Show, which is now in its 172nd year, was a great success with over 1,900 entries in the industrial section prior to the show - and many more entering popular events such as the Cumberland wrestling and agricultural classes on the day.

The sun shone on Saturday as show organisers pulled off another wonderful event showcasing all the best of livestock, produce and countryside culture, with entrants in all classes venturing from far and wide. 

There was lots of fun for everyone on show day (Image: NQ STAFF)

Seth Armstrong, chairman of Cockermouth Show said: "It's been fabulous, what a day, the weather has just made it, we've had massive crowds, loads of people have supported us from the towns around and about the countryside, loads of farmers it's been fabulous, the work that has gone into it it's been really worthwhile."

Michael Hunter and Ricky Slack enjoyed the day. (Image: NQ STAFF)

A delight this year was the poultry section which returned for 2024 following a break last year due to avian flu.

Members of the Cockermouth Mechanic's Band who entertained crowds. (Image: NQ STAFF)

The Cockermouth Mechanic's Band entertained crowds with countryside songs such as 'D'ya ken John Peel'.

Brian McCallam, 89, from Cockermouth has been a part of the Cockermouth Mechanic's Band for around 75 years.

Speaking about performing at Cockermouth Show this year, he said: "It's been absolutely brilliant to perform at the show today, the band was excellent.

"I was about 15 when I started- so it's been many a year (of performing at the show)."

The event is always a showcase of some of the best livestock Cumbria has to offer with sheep and cattle sections proving a real hit every year.

The Stagg-Stott family who won best overall in the sheep classes. (Image: Supplied)

Barbara Stagg-Stott and her family, from Longrow Farm at Canonbie in Dumfrieshire ,made the most of their journey taking home the Overall Champion for the Herdwick section and going on further to win the Overall Champion sheep on the field.

Barbara said: "Because I was born and brought up here, we moved to Canonbie 13 years ago, it's always nice to come back and support a local show."

One of the cattle class winners. (Image: NQ STAFF)

She added it was 'just amazing' to have the overall winner in the sheep section at the show.

Another highlight of the day is always the Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling with the 13.5stone World Championships being held at the show.

Wrestlers entertain big crowds. (Image: NQ STAFF)

Many other categories are also held throughout the day with Darcey-Mae Southward, 15, winning the Under 17 girls and the women's open Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling.

She said: "It's been really good to win".

She was also joined by fellow Waberthwaite wrestling club member Jack Pritt who won the final of the Under 18's men's wrestling.

As well as all of this there was much, much more on offer with pony entries, beer tents, a fairground, climbing wall and lots of food stalls on offer for the many thousands of people who attended.

Champions of the poultry section. (Image: NQ STAFF)

The show was praised by new Penrith and Solway MP Markus Campbell-Savours, who attended the event.

He said: "It's wonderful. It's great to see so many local residents out and it's great to see an event that reminds the local community of its rural and farming heritage."

Some of the show attendee's enjoying the sunshine (Image: NQ STAFF)

Ellis and Will Williams, aged one, came from North Wales to join in on the fun. (Image: NQ STAFF)