The Harbottle Show is a traditional Borders Show with a great mix of the old and the new. As well as Produce and Craft competitions, Sheep classes, Terrier races, Quoits, Cumberland Wrestling and also a Car Boot Sale, Food stalls, Trade Tents, Have a Go Archery, a Dog show, Childrens Games and our own mini Music festival in the Music Stage Tent.
It's a grand day out for all the family.
The show is held in "The Oak Field" at Harbottle. A magnificent setting, the site is a natural amphitheatre below the fells of the ancient Drakestone and overseen be ruins of Harbottle Castle.
According to the Schedule for the show held on Saturday 8th October, 1932, it was "The Seventieth Annual Show". That suggests that the first Show was held about 1862. It may have been 1859 as the Show probably wasn't held during WW1.
Over the years the Show has kept with tradition, with activities such as the Cumberland Wrestling, Terrier racing and Northumberland Quoits competitions, now we also have entertainments, childrens games, Have a go Archery, a Car Boot sale, Music and much more. In particular this year we have an exhibition about the Harbottle Castle and displays of old crafts such as Spinning, Basketry and Pole Lathe demonstrations.
If you have any items, photographs, or personal memories of historical importance to the Show please contact the secretary via the contacts form below.
A great success last year and back to give you all another chance to get up close to these wonderful birds of prey the The Falconry Days Northumberland team will be putting on displays throughout the day.
Now in its fifth year at the Harbottle Show, 'The Music Stage' goes from strength to strength and we have been working even harder to bring a fantastic range of performers to the 2018 show.
Starting off sharp at 12:30 with the Amble Sword Dancers followed by that great young local folk band Alnwicky. Then a little light jazz from ThreeScore and Valerie Fairless and next a touch of Americana, Roots & Country from Tom O’Donnell.
Our headline this year, Rod Clements of the legendary 70s folk-rock pioneers LINDISFARNE is back with us, accompanied by fellow Lindisfarne member, Ian Thomson. Indeed we can claim to have a third of the Lindisfarne line up! The combination of Rod’s Violin, Slide Guitar, Mandolin, and Vocals with Ian on Double Bass makes for a truly wonderful musical experience.
And to finish off our wonderful day of great music will be Country Blue, a fantastic local duo, guaranteed to get you on your feet and singing along.
So Meet Me on the Corner of the Music Stage for a great afternoons entertainment!
Our programme kicks off this year at 12:30pm:
Very welcome visitors to the show this year will be The Amble Sword Dancers.
Amble had a Rapper Sword Dance tradition dancing out around the streets of the town over Christmas and New Year, but this died out in the 1930s. The actual swords last used in Amble were apparently made from machine saw blades with handles made from clothes pegs and were probably made in the maintenance shops in Broomhill pit or at The Drift where one of them worked.
Now revived and going from strength to strength with appearances all over Northumberland their spirited music and dance will be kicking off the entertainment at the Music Stage this year.
Keeping up the long tradition of village shows across England, the folk of Harbottle bring in their produce and craft work to compete and display in the Exhibition Tent all with the hope of a First and the Red Rosette.
So come along early and enter anything from your prized Gladioli, you best Jam or even a Giant Leek. This years schedule can be found here Show Schedule 2018. And if baking is your thing then why not try your hand at class 62 the Singing Hinny made to a set recipe. (click here for a copy).
A collection of a few pictures from our past shows.
Click to enlarge.
