THE show may have been smaller in size than previous years but the support was big.

The organisers of Wasdale Shepherds’ Meet were delighted with how it all went at the weekend.

Like all other gatherings, the event was cancelled last year due to the pandemic. But the committee recently announced that an event would be held this year - in a reduced capacity.

And so it took place on the show field on Saturday with sheep classes, hound trails and the fell races.

The committee decided to reduce the number of sheep classes for this year, to 15. There were four hound events and adult and junior fell races.

Show secretary Mike Naylor said: "It was absolutely brilliant, really really well supported.

"People were over the moon it was on, there was such a happy atmosphere.

"It was a bit more laid back because there were only half the sheep classes so I go the chance to walk around and talk to people, rather than being stuck in a tent!"

There are up to 16 people on the committee.

"I'd like to give a special thanks to the hardworking committee who make it all happen," said Mike.

"And I would like to thank personally everybody who turned up to the Shepherds' Meet, you all made it a great success.

"Hopefully we will be back to a full show in 2022 and welcome you all again back to our beautiful valley."

He was delighted with the response to the Young Handler Class.

"Well done to all the entrants of the young handler class. It is so important to keep the younger generation of farming families involved and interested, and one way of doing this is to be in shepherd's meets and shows," he said.

The champion male sheep award went to Joseph Weir, of Boorowdale. The champion female and overall champion went to Stanley Jackson, also from Borrowdale.

The best young handler was April Harrison, of Eskdale.

The show has been running for more than 100 years. It is believed that the Shepherds’ Meet started off with farmers from Wasdale meeting the farmers from the adjoining valleys of Ennerdale, Buttermere, Borrowdale, Eskdale and Langdale, who walked their rams over to Wasdale Head to trade them, swap them or hire them.