2015-03-11 |
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Former Show Director to Judge the Champion of Champions
Brian Rogerson is well known in farming circles as Chairman of Hexham Auction Mart, but he’ll be applying his keen eye for quality livestock at this year’s Northumberland County Show as Judge of the Champion of Champions.
New
Show
Secretary Judy Willis said;
“I’m delighted that Brian has
accepted our invitation to judge the most prestigious competition
at the show. His background and experience provide him with impeccable
credentials for the role.”
Brian Rogerson (centre) will judge the 2015 Champion of Champions
Brian Rogerson is no stranger to the workings of the County Show having held the post of Show Secretary, and then Show Director between 1991 and 2007. He told us, “In those days it was very much a part time job, and I juggled it with working at the mart and bringing up my son, who was only young then. Back then the show was held at Tynedale Park in Corbridge, and although we still had thousands of visitors, it was not nearly as big an event as it is today.” Brian was granted Life Membership following his retirement from the executive committee, and is still an enthusiastic volunteer during the setup of the show.
Brian explained, “My highlight of the County Show is always the Grand Parade – it’s such a magnificent sight. Every animal there is a champion in its own right, and I get to judge which of them will become the Champion of Champions I’m very excited about it!”
The Grand Parade at 3pm is a spectacular showcase of the finest quality livestock in the region, with champions from almost every section gathered together for final judging. It is the personal opinion of the judge that dictates the winner with that elusive and unquantifiable ‘sparkle’ being cited as the deciding factor by previous judges.
The Champion of Champions event is sponsored by JS Hubbuck and Sons, agricultural merchants based at Hexham Mart. Proprietor, Geoff Hubbuck had the difficult task of choosing the winner last year. His advice to Brian was, “You have horses, cattle, sheep and alpacas in the lineup so it’s very difficult to make comparisons, but there is always one animal that shines out in the line-up; one that really has the X-factor. You’ll instinctively know which one is your winner!”
Based in Ponteland, Brian concluded that despite not being a breeder
of livestock, he has spent his entire working life at Hexham
Mart.
He said;
“I started as an office boy back in 1972 and started auctioneering
four years later. I’ve been lucky enough to have sold almost
every class of livestock that appears at the County Show and I’ve
had the most varied job of anyone I know.”
The Mart’s record price was achieved by Brian in 2011 when a Blackfaced Ram was sold for £20,000. Brian explained, “Having sold plenty of champions, I understand what a difference an award can make to the value and desirability of a beast, and the pride and satisfaction it brings to its owner.”
The Northumberland County Show is held at Bywell Hall, Near Stocksfield on Bank Holiday Monday 25th May 2015.
