When I first entered politics as your MP a decade ago an experienced parliamentary colleague had some very good advice.
He said I would attend many community events, particularly village shows, where I might be invited to judge something.
His sage advice was always to avoid any section or class involving young children or pets because in selecting a winner I was bound to upset either a very proud parent or pet owner whose child or pet had missed out because the local MP clearly didn’t know what he was doing!
It’s advice I’ve always tried to follow but sometimes you can’t avoid it – as was the case at Newton-le-Willows Village Show recently.
The committee had very kindly decided that I should have the honour of being chief judge (actually, the only judge) of the pet show and I walked over to the assembled cats and dogs with some trepidation.
You can imagine my relief to discover there were five categories – cutest, most skilled, best turned out, on a lead, and pet and owner combo – and only five entrants.
I was very happy to ensure that every entrant topped a category and I was able to present them with a rosette. So everyone was a winner and no-one was put out!
One thing I will not be winning any time soon is a game of quoits. I got another chance to try my hand at this ancient pub game on new pitches created to the rear of the village hall and quickly discovered that my skill levels had not improved since my introduction to the game on the pitches just outside the Bay Horse at Crakehall a few years ago.
Throwing a five pound ring of steel at a spike (the hob is the correct term, I understand) buried in a square of clay more than 30 feet away is not easy.
Quoits, guess the weight of the sheep and a first-class barbecue provided by Rock House Farm Shop were among the attractions at the event.
The centrepiece was, of course, the classes for baking, preserves, fruit, vegetables and crafts which were superb.
It was a tremendous village show and, I was surprised to learn, had been cased to be held in 2004. The unofficial chair of the organising group, Sheena Peach, explained to me how the show was resurrected five years ago, initially as an online event held during Covid but then a proper show in the village hall from 2021.
It is a lovely example of how the terrible Covid pandemic had a silver lining in that after the periods of isolation many towns and villages came to value anew and really appreciate those events that brought them together to celebrate their communities.
Events like a village show where people could take pride in something as simple as growing some award-winning tomatoes, baking superlative scones or displaying a favourite photograph.
All credit to the show group for bringing the show back and staging such a great event for the villagers. It was a joy to play a small part in the fun. I can also recommend the Rock House lamb burger. Delicious.
