Washburn Valley Show

Over the last few months Chris and I, along with a small committee, have been working on an Exhibition all about The Washburn Valley Show, Butter Making, and sheep sales which used to be held at The Sun Inn and The Hopper Lane. The sales were big events attracting buyers from many miles away as well as locals.
The Washburn Valley Show ran from 1906 to 1973. It was started by a small group of local farmers, who called themselves The Washburn Valley Tenant Farmers Association who got together and in 5 weeks planned the first ever show. It was attended by 800 people which when you consider the means of transport that would be available in 1906 it was a considerable number.
The show moved around 6 sites in the locality and was a tremendously popular event. Sadly as with lots of things it ended in 1973 due to lack of funds.
For the exhibition we were loaned all kinds of memorabilia from car stickers, catalogues, scrap books full of press cuttings and even the original Minutes book. We have had a great time looking at all the nostalgia , its been really interesting.
All the items are on display for all to see every weekend during June and July so go along and have a cup of tea, or lunch and see our exhibition at the same time!.
As a thank you to all we held a preview day on Thursday and invited all those who had helped, or loaned things etc and during the afternoon we served tea and scones and in the evening the second part which involved wine and nibbles!!
It was a long day but really enjoyable, although I was glad to get my shoes off at the end of the evening!!

Party Week !!

Its seems to have been an incredibly busy week of parties this last week!! Coupled with being very busy with B&B I feel quite worn out now!!
We started with Debbies 50th last Monday and on friday we had a street party to celebrate the Royal Wedding (not actually in the street, at our friends house, but everyone at the party lives nearby so to call it a street party was near enough).
Then last night we celebrated our friend Jills 50th with a surprise party at The Hopper. It was a lovely evening with food and dancing and Jill surrounded by family and friends.
The cake was fabulous. I asked a friend (Lisa Preston of Pickersgill Manor Farm) if she could do me a novelty cake for Jill. Jill is a farmer and so animals had to be included and also a keen Domino player so animals playing dominoes seemed an obvious choice. Well Lisa certainly didnt disappoint! I was delighted when I saw it, the detail was tremendous. The spots of the doms all matched up and the dry stone wall round the edge was perfect! Thank you Lisa!

Debbies Birthday!

Last night a group of us gathered at The Queens Head Kettlesing to celebrate, albeit two days early, the 50th Birthday of our friend Debbie. You will have seen Debbie on this Blog as part of the Hopper Lane Dominoes Team!.
We all had a fabulous meal and of course the compulsory cake, candle and singing Happy Birthday to You!!
So Happy Birthday to you Debbie for thursday, hope you have a lovely time with your family!

Hopper Lane Dominos Champions!!

Last night at Pateley Bridge Memorial Hall the finals night of the Nidderdale Domino League took place. The Hopper Lane Hotel, Blubberhouses, team, led by Capt Chris Ryder were victorious in winning the overall league and taking the cup. I sent my camera along to capture some live action but it looks like serious stuff!!
Sadly on the night none of the team won any individual prizes except in the raffle. However a good night was had by all, Im told!!