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Weardale Show 14-15 July 2018

 

Last weekend was the 2nd Weardale Show, and I made the 250 mile journey north to St Johns Chapel in the heart of Weardale to catch up and see what was new in the world of UK mineral collecting.

Organised by Enrico Rinaldi with local support, this is quite a small show but designed to follow in the traditions of the early local shows that were an opportunity for everyone to see the mineral treasures from the area. 

Last year the show was a magnet for collectors and dealers from all around the globe as well as a steady stream of interested local people. This year was very much the same with brilliant weather though maybe a little quieter.

Nevertherless there were people there who had come from all over the UK, plus the USA, Japan, France and Germany.

Scenes from the very sunny Weardale Show

 

The format of the show is exhibitions/display as well as dealer and society tables. The displays were put on by the Killhope Mine Centre, Steve Warren, Helen Wilkinson and Frank Bauerwaerts plus some excellent Spar Box work by Yorkshire artist Chris Clarke.

Chris has taken the orginal concept of the Spar Box and adapted it with other wider themes, with some really interesting and aesthetic results.

Spa Boxes Old & New
Two different ages of the Spar Box, left is Chris Clarke's 21st century creation featuring the Hindu God Shiva, right is a "horse and rider" sculpture exhibited by the Friends of Killhope, possibly 19th century.  

 

I added some photographs from the main displays to the gallery below.
 

2nd Weardale Show - Raffle Prize | Fluorite of course!!

 

One of the highlights of the day was the arrival of a crate, actually on its way back from Ste Marie, containing a spectacular large plate of fluorite from Boltsburn mine. Truly magnificent for its size and a wonder that pieces like this can still turn up in the Dale.

 

Boltsburn Fluorite - with Mark Hardy (left) & Enrico Rinaldi

 

All in all it was an excellent day, and as time moved on various alternative "shows" developed in both the Golden Lion and the Bluebell, both excellent pubs adjacent to village hall at St John's Chapel.

One of my highlights of the day was a visit down the road to see Helen Wilkinson's collection, and to catch a couple of snaps of two "coalfield" witherite specimens in her collection.

Maybe not too much to look at, but very interesting in the context of Roger Curry's blog on the subject.

Northumberland Coalfield Witherite
Witherite - South Moor Colliery, Holmside, County Durham - c 7cm Witherite - Ushaw Moor Colliery, Deerness Valley, County Durham - c 9cm

 

By 5pm the show closed for the day, and unfortunately I had to head home before the evening dinner. I trust it was a great success, and that Day 2 brought more visitors.

Thanks again to Enrico for his great organisation.

 

 

Album: 
Album: Weardale Show 14-15 July 2018
Album: Weardale Show 14-15 July 2018
Album: Weardale Show 14-15 July 2018
Album: Weardale Show 14-15 July 2018
Album: Weardale Show 14-15 July 2018
Album: Weardale Show 14-15 July 2018
Album: Weardale Show 14-15 July 2018
Album: Weardale Show 14-15 July 2018
Album: Weardale Show 14-15 July 2018
Album: Weardale Show 14-15 July 2018
Album: Weardale Show 14-15 July 2018
Album: Weardale Show 14-15 July 2018
Album: Weardale Show 14-15 July 2018
Album: Weardale Show 14-15 July 2018
Album: Weardale Show 14-15 July 2018
Album: Weardale Show 14-15 July 2018