Rusland Show Report 2026
“It Keeps Getting Better and Better!”
Last year’s 140th show was a cracker and we hardly dared hope it could get better. Saturday 15th August dawned full of sunshine and promise. Many hours of hard work meant the show field was immaculate, the main marquee and all other tents were pitched perfectly and ready for action.
The rush of people dropping off their produce and tweaking their blooms started early as usual, and then the judges were huddled inside for the serious work of selecting the winners. Hundreds of carefully tended entries included exceptional floristry, home produce, beautiful art and crafts and first-class horticultural exhibits – the tables were groaning with huge Hydrangea heads and glorious Victoria Sponges.
A particular crowd pleaser was the ‘Decorated Cake on a Transport Theme’, which depicted in amazing detail the first flight of the Montgolfier Brothers’ Hot Air Balloon and its very first passengers – a duck, a rooster and a sheep. For sure, Rusland Has Talent!
Our flagship opening event, the Five Mile Fell Race, attracted nearly 70 runners from further afield than ever before – including Manchester and even London. Winner Jay Hutchinson from Trafford Athletics Club set a blistering pace, not far off the record, to complete the course in 30 minutes 23 seconds.
Turnout and performances on the track were also excellent and many ex-competitors and long-term supporters return to watch year after year – veteran runner Matt McMahon, now 93, came all the way from the Scottish Borders! Since so many runners bring their families and stay for the whole day, we had record numbers competing in all the fabulous fun events too.
Local fell-running legend Bobby Gard Storey, 6th in the Senior Fell Race, got his revenge and the biggest cheer of the day by blasting to victory in a hotly contested adult egg and spoon final.
The Children’s Fancy Dress was something beginning with ‘C’. A ravishing Queen Camilla in an enormous pink hat and a 5-year-old Cowboy twirling his revolver were triumphant. Holly Dickinson, helped by big sister Rosie who won last year, scooped top prize in the Pet and Owner look-alike with family terrier Pippin.
Our President, Antony Meanwell, was excellently qualified for the tricky job of judging as he had himself been Show Secretary for many years. A lovely liver-spotted Dalmatian rescue dog called Sunshine lived up to her name by winning the trophy for the waggiest dog at the show.
Over in the beer tent, Adam and the crack team on the bar were spreading even more sunshine. In last year’s heat, we drained 3 barrels of Lonesome Pine – this year Adam laid on 4, and they also disappeared!
No doubt this helped some spectacular Egg Throwing – over 230 people took part, a new record – and a mammoth tug of war contest with 6 children’s and 8 adult teams. Amidst a field of very dodgily named contenders – Ninjas, Noodle Doodles, Egg Heads and Vicky Sponges among them – the solid quality of the Lowick Oldies shone through.
In golden sunshine, at the end of the afternoon, their impressive victory was secured. As one spectator said, ‘If we have any more fun, we’ll need floodlights next year….’
Huge thanks go, as ever, to everyone who organised, volunteered, participated and supported the show. Without you, the sports events, the wonderful Craft and Local Interest Tents, the Raffle and the Main Marquee Competitions simply wouldn’t happen.
A special shout goes out to Stuart Fleming and his family – this was his 30th year organising the Children’s Sports and Obstacle Races and having so many smiling children around is a huge part of the feel-good atmosphere of the show.
Finally, there wouldn’t be a show at all without our superb Secretary Maureen, who somehow manages to bind it all together magically into the spectacular and wonderful day it is.
Next year’s show will be held on Saturday 21st August – please put it in your diary now!
If you would like to help, please contact ruslandshowinfo@gmail.com.
