Peak District Highland Games, Derbyshire UK

**tpa** · 18th September 17, 02:46 PM

With the continued absence of the Ashbourne Highland Gathering, Matlock Farm Park decided to host a highland games event at the end of August. It was called the Peak District Games and held under the banner of Man Beast.

There were plenty of beasts, but they were kept well away from the games, with the exception of this guy who had the best view on the farm.

Meanwhile the Meercats kept an eye on everyone by the entrance.

The "massed" bands were somewhat depleted but they sounded fine anyway.

The first event I saw was the stone carrying. Some managed in excess of double the required distance, whereas others failed to pick it up!

This was followed by a timed 8 ton tractor pull.

It was a very relaxed atmosphere with competitors and their families mixed in with the crowd

and everyone was encouraged to get up close and personal with some of the wildlife.

Then we had the caber toss. I think they said the weight was the same but the caber was only around ½the normal length. I hae ma doubts about the weight as a good few were able to toss it successfully.

Even some spectators were encouraged to have a go.

There was plenty of entertainment for kids, besides the animals and animal rides

To be continued.

**tpa** · 18th September 17, 03:05 PM

There were also some stalls. Although Highland fair was conspicuous by its absence, at least one stall holder made an effort to dress the part.

The final event was the stone throwing.

It was very much a family and kids occasion

if not a very Scottish one. The competitors, with one exception wore kilts, but there were, to the best of my knowledge, only 2 kilted spectators. I was one and this little girl was the other.

Whilst we awaited the results, we were entertained by some competitor gymnastics.

and finally the winner, Scott Mark Lichfield, was announced

and presented with the biggest competition cheque he'd ever received for £250.

It may not have compared with Ashbourne for spectacle, certainly in the area of the bands. However the weather, atmosphere and commentory were all great even if the event timing was a little approximate. It was the first time and some of the events, like the stone carrying, had never been done before so no one quite knew what to expect. There was no hill race, but there was a sheep steeplechase

and this little guy/gal apparently spent a couple of hours perched appropriately on this ornament.