Just champion! Morebattle farmer takes top prize at Border Union Show

It’s claimed more young people need to be given hands-on experience of farming – if the industry is to continue to thrive in the Borders.

That’s according to Morebattle farmer Willie Thomson, whose home-bred sheep was crowned Champion of Champions on its first outing at the Border Union Show in Kelso at the weekend.

He displayed the North Country Cheviot gimmer in the main ring, with the help of his 11-year-old son, James.

Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio after being presented with the top prize, Willie said: “If we don’t have the next generation coming into the industry it’s lost forever, so it’s massively important we encourage them.

“And, to be fair, it’s probably the kids that’s driving the show inside of our business at the moment anyway. I’ve been there and done it from his age, so it’s nice to see them wanting to carry on; so you have to give them the same opportunity that I had.”

And he added: “If he (James) comes into farming, he’ll be the sixth generation of our family to do so. I’ve two girls and they’re both keen, so its looking like i might get to take a back seat.”

It’s not the first time the Hownam Grange farmer has won the competition.

“I think (it was) 2010 when they first did the Champion of Champions we won it,” Willie smiled. “I’m delighted. It’s a shop window for us and gets our name out there.”

Former Border Union Show chairman Peter Douglas is praising the standard of entries at this year’s event.

He was given the task of deciding this year’s winner.

“It was a very tough choice,” he admitted. “I knew it would be.

“At the Border Union there is an excellent class of everything – from the rabbit to the shire horse to the riding horse, and then it’s been a big year for the Aberdeen Angus cattle coming here with their national show.”

But he added: “As an upland farmer, I do like an alert sheep, and I felt that’s what swayed it in the end.”

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