Summer is the time for Country Fayres and agricultural shows and, in this neck of the woods. we have them in abundance. It's a chance for the farming community to meet up and for local communities to enter into the competitive spirit with their crafts and cake making,not forgetting their talented pets!
At John Ruskin school in Coniston for the first time, the pupils have the opportunity to take a land based science GCSE, concentrating on farming and good management of natural ressources.
My daughter has already ordered her John Deere overalls and is excited at the prospect of lambing and attending the Westmorland County show in September.
This year we have had the most fantastic weather.Agricultural shows are so weather dependent and,as I'd never been to Coniston Country fayre before, I decided that the location, on the shores of Coniston water ,seemed an idyllic way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
The fayre was held in the grounds of Coniston Hall and as we entered we passed a row of vintage tractors which had been lovingly restored.
The three bears were having their picnic.
and the little red fox was apparently waiting for Chicken Licken.
Country Fayres are a great way for the locals to exhibit their skills and we watched as a chap carved owls with a chain saw.
Not quite as delicate as the carved walking sticks on display but just as creative! There were hounds to judge and fell races up Coniston Old Man in the searing temperatures.
And of course it wouldn't be Coniston without a mention of Arthur Ransome and Swallows and Amazons
I learned that he started his Career as a journalist during the First World war and vowed to continue with my book Arthur Ransome and Captain Flint's Trunk.
And it wouldn't be a Lakeland Country Fayre without some Cumberland Wrestling! The little chap on the right drew the short straw when he was chosen to wrestle with a boy twice his size! Better luck next year!
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