Each year we need to raise money to cover insurance and other costs. If you can help us in any way, no matter how small, please do contact us.
Shirley Tinnion receiving the Co-op Local Community Fund cheque, on behalf of the Belford Village Show Committee, from Karen Armstrong, the local Co-op Member Pioneer
What the support of the Co-op Local Community Fund meant to the Belford Village Show
“The 104th Belford Show was held on the sunny afternoon of Saturday September 24th 2022, in a marquee, on Belford football ground. It has changed in some respects since it first started as a horticultural show. It is still a horticultural show but it has developed and adapted to be more inclusive. There are sections for photography, art, baking and produce, seen side by side with fruit, vegetables, flowers and flower arranging. What is also impressive is the collaboration with Belford Primary School exhibiting hand written poems and artwork. This encourages children to enter the other sections dedicated to them including vegetable growing, baking and model making. Janet Flynn, Treasurer of the Show Committee said “We’ve had the largest number of children’s entries for years which is fabulous”.
Local community groups were able to promote themselves and raise funds, such as BellView Resource Centre, Belford Primary School and Berwick Red Squirrels Group. Other local businesses had an outlet for selling items such as baking, drinks, crafts and photographs.
A new venture this year was a dog show and this was a huge success. Attracting dogs and their owners both locally and from far afield, there were 8 categories and then Best in Show. Competition was stiff in all sections. Jet, a Rescue Greyhound was declared Best in Show to the delight of his owner Wall Wallace. The organizer of the dog show Janet Peel was delighted with the response to this new venture.
Organizing such an event takes time, effort and money. Many local people, businesses and groups sponsored the event making it possible. We were delighted to be chosen as one of the local causes by the Co-Op Community Fund this year. Janet West Chairperson of the Show Committee said “Without the financial backing of local people we could not run the show so we are very grateful for everybody’s support, both for sponsorship and turning up on the day. There are many volunteers who help without whom we could not put on the show. Their help is invaluable”
How do you measure success and value of an event like this? Prizes won? Money made? Whilst these may be important to some, probably the most important to Belford village as a whole was an afternoon of fun and calm enjoyment for all ages in their own village.”
Belford Village Show 