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The Coll Show 1999
Weather conditions could not have been more perfect for the 78th Annual Horticultural and Agricultural Show which was held at Coll Village Hall on Friday August 6th. The sun shone all day and it seems likely that it was one of the hottest days of the summer, enabling islanders and holidaymakers alike to pass a very enjoyable and convivial afternoon. Generous contributions from both the Bank of Scotland and the RSPB also helped the day to pass with a swing.
The first event of the afternoon was the judging of the sheep classes by Rhona Munro of Mull. This developed into a keenly fought contest between Anna and Mike Taylor of Lonban and Angus MacFarlane, Sorisdale, who between them carried off all but one of the prizes. Anna and Mike Taylor were awarded the Kenneth Cup (most points, blackface) and the Same Tankard (the best cross bred sheep). Angus and Donald MacFarlane were awarded the George Binnie Trophy (for the best tup) and the Fiona Cup (the best blackface sheep). Hamish MacRae, Cornaigmore, gained the most points in the cross bred section. Entries were down on last year with only 5 farms participating and there were no entries in the pure bred sheep section at all.
By mid-afternoon things were in full swing with cakes and teas being organised by Pam Garnett and Ruth Sturgeon in the brand new marquee which the Show Committee was able to purchase this year, thanks to the generosity of the RSPB. The hamburger stall proved popular, as usual, although it was really too hot for anyone to be standing cooking on a barbecue.
Show Day is always a good opportunity to raise funds for local initiatives and there were sideshows to raise money for the children's playpark and the Coll Heritage Society.
The pet classes were again judged by Peter and Diana McDonnell and there were a large number of varied entries, including a tortoise. Skinner's 'Simply the Best' award was given to the collie, Rob, owned by Louise Woods.
The hill run from Chad to the village attracted a larger and more enthusiastic entry than usual, despite the afternoon heat. The race, across rough hill ground was won by visitor Gavin Miles, followed by Andrew Chadwick in second place and Derek Griffiths, third. Special mention must be made, though, of the excellent entry in the ladies section in which there were five participants: Alison McVey, Val Smith, Heather Maclntyre, Fra Wright and Heather MacFarlane. The Ladies Cup was won by Alison McVey, despite sustaining an ankle injury in the course of the race.
The Coll Children's Sports Trophy was awarded to Amy Mitchell and the winner of the Under 12 Road race was Graham Gordon.
The presentation of cups and trophies took place at 5.00pm in the Village Hall. It was noticeable that entries in all classes were down this year, although a scarcity of entries in the horticultural section could be blamed on the poor growing conditions in June. The judges were Donald Farquhar and Liz Robertson from Tiree and Cath Stevenson.
Convenor, Mr Peter Smalley, called upon Mr Ron Davies to present the awards. This year it was the turn of Mrs Catriona Brodie to sweep the boards in both the Home Produce and Horticultural Sections. Catriona was awarded the Scones and Pancakes Cup, the Challenge and Industrial Cup (most points in the Home Produce), the Challenge Cup (most firsts in the Home Produce) and the Horticultural Cup. To top it all, Catriona also entered the best vegetable in the Show, a beautiful cauliflower.
The Flower section was highly contested as usual. Neighbours, Alison Fraser and Fiona Kennedy, were jointly awarded the Christina MacFadyen Rosebowl whilst Chrissie MacKinnon was again the winner of the Alastair Oliphant Rose Cup. The Flora MacLennan Memorial Cup was awarded to Catriona Brodie. The Neil MacKay Memorial Quaich for the best kept garden, which was judged by Mrs Crottie, was awarded to Alex MacLennan, Kilbride.
The Handcrafts Cup was won by Dot Mackay and the Coll Children's Trophy was jointly awarded jointly to Helena Porrelli and Amy Mitchell. Linsay Gordon won the Visiting Children's trophy.
The Coll Show dance was, as usual, a great success. Music was provided by the Two Ronz Ceilidh Band and the raffle prizes were presented by Mrs Catriona MacLennan of Tiree. The star raffle prize - a brand new TV - was won by Graham Griffiths.
COLL SHOW RESULTS
Visiting Children's Trophy - Lindsay Gordon
Coll Children's Trophy - Helena Porrelli and Amy Mitchell
Children's sports Cup - Amy Mitchell
Children's Road Race Trophy - Graham Gordon
Challenge and Industruial Cup- Catriona Brodie
Challenge Cup -Catriona Brodie
Scones and pancakes Cup - Catriona Brodie
Handicraft Cup - Dot Mackay
Horticultural Cup - Catriona Brodie
Christina MacFadyen Rosebowl - Alison Fraser and Fiona Kennedy
Alastair Oliphant Rose Cup -Chrissie MacKinnon
Neil MacKay Memorial Quaich (best kept garden) - Alex MacLennan
Best Kept Pet Trophy - Louise Woods
Mens Road Race Cup - Alison McVey
Kenneth Cup (most points backface) - Anna and Mike Taylor, Lonban
Fiona Cup (best blackface sheep in the show) - Donald MacFarlane
Same Tankard (best cross bred sheep) - Anna and Mike Taylor, Lonban
George Binnie Trophy (best tup lamb) - Donald MacFarlane |
