Judge Barry Frizell, Wigton, Cumbria, had his work cut out for him at the Border Union Show which attracted no fewer than 190 shepherds crooks and walking sticks.
He found his supreme in plain horn head neck crook from Murray Playfair, with the award for the best novice presented to Stephen Marshall.
A special prize donated by The Tweeddale Stick Dressers in memory of Cliff Worrell who passed away in 2025 and confined to those members was won by Jim Currie with the award for the best novice presented to Stephen McLachlan.
LEADING awards
Walking stick - Plain wood one piece - 1, Murray Playfair; 2, Iain Paterson; 3, Ian Smith. Plain wood two piece - 1, David Bowman; 2, Ian Smith; 3, Eddie Forster. Plain horn head - 1 and 2, Murray Playfair; 3, Ian Smith. Fancy wood head - 1 and 2, Iain Paterson; 3, Ian Forsyth. Fancy horn head - 1 and 2, Eddy Forster; 3, Arthur Dent.
Neck crook - Plain wood head - 1, Ian Smith; 2, Jim Currie; 3, Iain Paterson. Plain horn head - 1, Murray Playfair; 2, David Bowman; 3, Eddy Forster. Fancy wood head - 1 and 2, Iain Paterson; 3, Eddy Forster. Fancy horn head - 1, Arthur Dent; 2 and 3, Eddy Forster.
Leg cleek - Plain wood head - 1 and 3, Ian Smith; 2, Ian Forsyth. Plain horn head - 1, Jim Currie; 2, Stephen Marshall; 3, Eddy Forster.
Walking stick with carved fish - 1, Garry Clark; 2, Arthur Dent; 3, Bob Newton.
Novice crook or stick - Wood - 1, Stephen Marshall; 2, Garry Clark; 3, David Bowman. Horn head - 1 and 2, Stephen Marshall; 3, David Bowman.
Sportsman's stick - 1 and 2, Eddy Forster; 3, Stephen Marshall.
Thumb stick - 1 and 2, Ian Smith; 3, Eddy Forster.
Stick made from any other material - 1, 2 and 3, Ian Smith
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