On Saturday 15th September, the annual Eggleston Agricultural Show, the last large agricultural gathering in the Dales, brought together locals, farmers and faith groups in a celebration of community spirit. Among the many stands were the churches from the old Barnard Castle Deanery and The Methodist Circuit, who partnered once again to ‘man’ a shared stand.
The group, supported by Upper Teesdale Churches Together, borrowed the 'Church About the Dale' trailer from Wharfdale churches, creating a noticeable presence at the show. This year’s theme, ‘Let’s Build a Flourishing Community Together,’ invited visitors to engage in discussions about community and faith. A special guest, Corryn, Regional Officer of North East Churches Acting Together (NECAT), was welcomed to the show.
The interactive activities at the stand were a hit. A large tree mural was set up, and children were invited to stick leaves on its branches, each representing different schools, clubs or community spaces.
Another popular activity was the creation of collages, where participants made items representing what makes Teesdale special to them. These pieces were placed on a beautifully painted backdrop by local artist Alan Matthews.
A meaningful addition to this year’s event was the distribution of 300 snowdrop bulbs, accompanied by a verse from Psalm 58. Visitors were encouraged to plant the bulbs as a way to remember loved ones or think about members of their community. This gesture encouraged people to share their stories of their lost family members and pets.
The materials, including paints and snowdrop bulbs, were made possible by a small grant from the Diocese.