THIS year saw a break with tradition for Buckden Gala, with the 36th of its kind being opened jointly by the oldest and youngest citizens of the village.

In past years the gala has been opened by local VIPs but this time Joseph Sedgley, 85, and Megan Schofield, just two years and four months, performed the opening ceremony by releasing balloons over Buckden Pike on Saturday.

The children amused themselves in a large inflatable maze where they could run amok out of their parents' gaze along bouncing corridors. Or they could enjoy a ride on a merry-go-round or take part in the children's races.

In the three-legged race, one pair had such perfect co-ordination that they won the race while their competitors were only half-way down the course.

Proceedings were enlivened throughout by the cheerful music provided by the Lofthouse and Middlesmoor Band.

The profits from the gala are the main source of funding for the village hall and around £1,350 was raised. Thanks has been extended to the stalwarts who keep the show going, but more recruits are needed.

In the fell race, the son of the race founder, Robert Jebb, ran to victory 20 years after his father Peter was approached by the Buckden Village Institute Committee to run it as a main event.

Mr Jebb won the race in 31 minutes 33 seconds over a four mile course with a 1500 foot climb to the top of the Pike and down again on the steepest of slopes.

Coming second in the fell race was Paul Lowe, a young American who has joined Pudsey and Bramley Fell Runners. The first lady -was Vanessa Peacock in 41 minutes and 44 seconds and the first local runner was again Mike McKensie.

o The Herald is grateful to Mr Alex Currall for providing the report and pictures of the gala on a busy weekend for events

RESULTS

Dalesbred Gimmer Hogg, H H Close Trophy: 1 M Close 2 & 3 F & J Horner

Swaledale Gimmer Hogg, J Marsden Trophy: 1 & 3 T, J & W Akrigg 2 I Close

Dalesbred Ewe & Horned Lamb, Sayer & Co Trophy: 1 2 & 3 F & J Horner

Swaledale Ewe & Horned Lamb, Bill & Mick Wilkinson Trophy: 1 2 & 3 T, J, & W Akrigg

Horned Ewe & Crossed Lamb, Youngs Trophy: 1 2 & 3 W Hall

Dalesbred Tup Hogg, J W Coates Trophy: 1 & 2 F & J Horner 3 M Close

Swaledale Tup Hogg, J & D Oldfield Trophy: 1 & 2 T, J & W Akrigg; 3 C Thornborrow

Dalesbred Aged Ram, Robinson Trophy: 1 W Hall 2 F & J Horner 3 M Close

Swaledale Aged Ram, Dalegarth 'John Rob' Trophy: 1 T, J & W Akrigg 2 F J Horner 3 C Thornborrow

Fat Lamb, James Falshaw Trophy 1 & 2 W Hall 3 R Charnley

Pair of Dalesbred Gimmer Lambs, J Brown White Lion Trophy: 1 2 & 3 F & J Horner

Pair of Swaledale Gimmer Lamb, Fox & Hounds Trophy: 1 & 2 T J & W Akrigg 3 R Charnley

Pair of Halfbred Gimmer Lambs, Laycock Trophy: 1 W Hall 2 I Close 3 R Charnley

Woolled Hill Sheep, T & J Hopkinson Trophy: 1 W Hall 2 T J & W Akrigg 3 M Close

Ram Any Other Breed, A F Feeds Trophy: 1 & 2 F & J Horner 3 W Hall

Female Any Other Pure Breed, W Hall Trophy: 1 M Close 2 F & J Horner

Malhamdale Trophy, Tup Hogg & Gimmer Hogg: 1 & 3 T J & W Akrigg 2 F & J Horner

Jubilee Trophy, Tup, Ewe, Gimmer Hogg: 1 T J & W Akrigg 2 F & J Horner 3 M Close

Male Champion, W F Banks Trophy 1 F & J Horner

Female Champion, Buckden Gala Trophy: 1 T J & W Akrigg

BT Close Champion, Animal Truest to Type: 1 M Close

Dalesbred Rosette: F & J Horner

Swaledale Rosette: T J & W Akrigg

Langstroth Cup, Most Points: F & J Horner

National Trust Trophy: F & J Horner

Prize for Exhibitor Not Winning First Prize: I Close.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.