People have been wading through the mud and glaur, but that hasn’t deterred them from flocking to the 172nd New Deer Show.
Crowds turning out to enjoy the two-day agricultural show at the weekend had to put on their wellies to enjoy the weekend, but they’re a hardy bunch in the north east.
After being plagued with rain early on Saturday morning, the fields were soft and the walkways muddy, but locals and visitors piled in to see the animals, tractor displays, competitions and other activities.
New Deer Scottish Women’s Institute president Eileen Morrice was judging the horticulture entries and thought the show had grown on previous years.
She said: “We’ve a wonderful show – we’ve had more hanging baskets than ever entered before and almost everything is up except for the kids’ entries.
“It has been a really good event so far and everyone has been entering our tent happy.
“I’ve been coming for about the last 40 years and I think there’s a really good show of stands and people will come well equipped with wellies.”
Alongside the cattle, sheep, horses and other show items, there were tents for charities, politicians and local produce companies.
However, there was no doubt the inclement weather blighted some activities.
Professional fundraiser Harry Steele was at New Deer Show for Cancer Research UK and thought the weather had kept people at home.
“It’s not been overly busy – the mud is putting people off,” he said.
“But the great thing about being here is that the people are so friendly.”
Vintage tractor enthusiast Henry Pirie had some of his vehicles on display in the field and was not disheartened by the low crowds.
The most popular of the vintage vehicles there on the day was one of the Fergies – a restored Ferguson TEF20 tractor.
He said: “I think there’s something about them that has people my age trying to relive their youth. It’s popular as where else could you get such rich farming life and history?
“The weather wasn’t pretty this morning and it’s put a few people off, but it’s all the good folk that have turned out and made the show a success.”
Thousands of people enjoyed the weekend and the parking areas were constantly busy.
Central Buchan councillor Norman Smith was delighted the event was still popular 172 years into its history.
He said: “Unfortunately, it’s always New Deer Show weather on the weekend they plan it, but it’s great to see it busy.
“They tend to get a bit of rain every year, but the turn-out has been good and hopefully that will continue.”
