A woman who has been central to organising Keswick Show for the past 31 years has stepped down from the challenging role of secretary.
Judith Hildreth, 68, relinquished the job at the annual general meeting held at the town’s Quaker Meeting House last week and told The Keswick Reminder it was with “mixed feelings” that she was giving it up.
She took over as secretary from her father Wilfred Relph who had been secretary for 28 years and who sadly died while still in post.
“He died in the May and they asked me if I would step in and help out with the show and here I am 31 years later still doing the job,” said Judith, “I was going to finish the job after 28 years because I did not want to go past my dad, but then Covid happened and the show was cancelled for two years and it took a while to get somebody to take my place.
“I had helped my father a little bit before taking on the job, but not to the extent he did because he had everything in his head. I had to learn as I went along.”
Judith intimated last summer that the 2023 August bank holiday show would be her last and Linda Grave expressed an interest in doing the job and she was elected to take on the role at the annual general meeting.
“It’s with sort of mixed feelings that I am giving it up because we have been involved as a family for nearly 60 years,” she said. “Last year I told people it was going to be my last show and they said that they had appreciated what I had done for them.”
During her time as secretary the show has moved locations from the Crossings Field and more recently to a field in Braithwaite and has suffered cancellations because of the weather, Covid and the foot-and-mouth outbreak. While doing the job Judith has worked at the Edinburgh Wool Shop and is now employed part-time at the Grape Tree in Keswick.
“The weather has played a big part and we have had a few cancellations but the last few years we have had brilliant weather and record crowds, so it has been nice to finish on a bit of a high.”
Show chairman Martin Relph said: “Judith’s invaluable knowledge of the workings of the show have been greatly appreciated by many.
“It’s been a case of if you don’t know, ring Judith and she will know the answer.
“We would also like to thank Judith’s husband, Trevor, for his support. He has endured years of show talk and paperwork everywhere and being Judith’s second hand.
“Fortunately Judith isn’t leaving completely. She is staying on the general and executive committee and I’m sure we will all still be asking questions hoping for an answer. Judith has also been voted president elect for the 2025 show, so we look forward to seeing her and Trevor doing their duties together.
“I would also like to take the opportunity to welcome a our new general secretary Linda Grave, Linda is a local lass and along with husband Mike have been involved with showing horses for years, Linda is assisted by Lucy Roast (equine secretary), Susan Tyson (sheep secretary) and Sal Pepper (industrial secretary). I’m sure these ladies and the rest of the team will do a great job.”
The 2024 show will take place on August 26 at Braithwaite by kind permission of Mr & Mrs Joe Bennett and Mr & Mrs Andrew Nicholson.
It is hoped that a Cheviot class will be introduced in the sheep section and there will be displays of traditional hand clipping, terrier shows and racing along with Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling and plenty of entertainment for the whole family along with lots of different food and drinks outlets.
