WE ALL know that Keith Jamieson, from Annan, has led a blessed life.

But now it’s official – and it goes all the way to the top!

Apparently there was a fairly hefty and thirsty contingent of Scots over for Tullamore Show, last weekend, including octogenarian Keith.

(He still manages to keep up with those half his age!).

But, seeing as it was a long walk into the busy show, his younger mentors were looking about for a show-bound car to get the auld yin into the event.

So, a car with flashing lights, and a sign in the window saying ‘Official Show Vehicle’, was flagged down and the driver asked if he would take an elderly person into the show.

“No bother,” said Father Barry, the driver!

But that wasn’t the end of it.

After a strenuous and busy arm-bending day, and as the show wound down, a quick phone call to Father Barry, resulted in him arriving back to pick up Keith.

He was now joined by other oldies, John Tough and Tam Allison.

They were then flagged through the huge crowd in some style by the local Garda!

Just as well, I think, that Father Barry had not turned his car into a mobile confessional.

Or maybe he did!

Records set at Aberfeldy

BAR a stellar show of livestock, the auction of produce and flower exhibits is one of the highlights of Aberfeldy Show by auctioneer, United Auctions’ David Brown, really pulled it out the bag this year and set what must be a number of records.

First up was a trio of leeks, grown by NFU Scotland vice-president, Martin Kennedy, which were knocked down for a whopping £40 to local supporter, William Jackson, Derculich. As if that wasn’t enough, Mr Jackson then went to £50 for two parsley plants of which, some readers may know, lower quality examples can be bought for under two quid apiece at supermarkets.

Fodder merchants will be rubbing their hands together as the show’s chairman, Roddy Thomson, West Park, paid £20 for a wee bale of hay which just happened to be donated by his own family, but the real star of the show was a pot of floo’ers, not the largest on offer by any means, which sold to the chieftain of the Highland Games, Dr Hamish McBride, for £105!

No doubt some pockets were feeling a tad lighter on Sunday morning, but well done to one and all, and here’s hoping Mr Brown and the rest of the team at UA are able to set more records at upcoming sales.

The weans have it

OUT of the mouths of babes No 1: Judge, Kay Adam, asking young stock handler at Islay Show, last week, ‘When was the calf born?’ After some deliberation, wee boy says: “Ohhhh ages ago!”

Out of the mouth of babes No 2: Judge, Kenny O’Connor, at Mid Argyll, asks wee boy, Frazer Prentice (7) of his ewe, which had just won the confined Suffolk championship: ‘Was she home-bred or bought in.’ Wee Frazer just looked at the judge and said, “No! ... Santa brought her!”

All aboard the Vomit Comet

GOOD ON Mid Argyll Show organisers for asking a whole scattering of Young Farmers to be their judges for the annual show in Lochgilphead.

Using the word ‘scatter’ was entirely appropriate given that quite a few of them and their ‘supporters’ had hired a bus through from Stirling for the day.

I fear that the bus driver of the Vomit Comet would have been making many stops on the way home.

Looking quite out of kilter for the judging stint was retired Highland fold manager from Glasgow Parks, Malcolm Moy, who was judging the rare breeds: “I’m only here because I’m young at heart,” he told The Raider.

Reeling it in for charity!

FIFTY years ago, Willie and Morag Currie, from Port Ellen, on Islay, started up a small transport business which involved delivering draff from the local distilleries to the island’s farmers.

Today, the business includes plant hire, etc, and is one of the biggest businesses on the island, which son, Gordon, runs and combines with breeding Blackies at Upper Cragabus.

In recent times, the W and M Currie stand at Islay Show has become a must visit for locals and visitors alike to sample the purvey, the refreshments, plus, of course, the music and the craic!

To celebrate the company’s 50th birthday, an added dimension this year was top folk band, Crooked Reel, to perform on the day.

In addition, Willie and Morag’s grand-daughter, Eilidh, baked a special 50th birthday cake which was auctioned for charity. The bidding developed into a duel between Kevin Tam Campbell (whose father John Tam took the show supreme with a Blackie gimmer), and past editor of this tome, Alasdair Fletcher, with Alasdair eventually prevailing at £130.

This was added to the donations box on the day, and £1600 was raised for the local hospital and eventide home.

Big day for Keith

OUR quirky pal from Lawrie and Symington’s mart in Lanark, had a big day this week – but the shy and retiring Keith Whitton would hardly let on.

But we can tell you that behind the scenes got to guy for all things to do with the mart, had served 40 years at the company on Monday. Well done – there must be a medal in there somewhere!