ROB JUDGES THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL FLEECE SHOW

8/8/2009 12:00:00 AM

Shirley and I had a couple of days in Northumberland in July where I was  judging 265 fleeces in the Scottish National Fleece Show.

Organised by Jonathan Russell it took two 12 hour days to get through the entries, which were to be displayed alongside alpacas at the Kelso show.

Luckily I'd had the privilege in 2008 of working alongside Cameron Holt the world alpaca fleece expert as he judged 285 entries in the Heart of England Fleece show so the task wasn't as daunting as it first seemed.

Although tiring, the standard was high and it was a great couple of days made throroughly enjoyable, with excellent help and encouragment on hand from local breeders and a tight ship being run by Jonathan. The Rosettes were a striking Tartan and very evocative of what Jonathon hopes will become an annual event and a permanent fixture in the Scotland and Borders alpaca calendar. I wish him well confident that the Scottish National Fleece show will continue to flourish and I thank him for the opportunity to Judge on such a scale.