Crowds watch East Anglian team’s sheepdog triumph

The English Nursery Final event at Castle Rising with competing sheepdogs under three-years-old from around the country. One of the sheepdogs at work in the competition. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

And more than a hundred spectators, some from as far as Northumberland, flocked to West Norfolk on Sunday to watch the English Nursery Sheepdog Finals.

The event at Castle Rising was hosted by Grace Baldry-Roberts and her father Graham, and despite the cold temperatures competitors and their dogs had a large audience of around 150 people to support them as they drove a herd of five sheep around a standard nursery course.

The East Anglian Sheepdog society, consisting of Ed Hawkins, with his dog Jill, Su Little with Twiggy and Ed Thornalley with Nasher won the team event.

Meanwhile, Richard Saxon and his dog Don took home the individual trophy.

The English Nursery Final event at Castle Rising with competing sheepdogs under three-years-old from around the country. Becca Middleton from Leverington near Wisbech, with her 12-week-old sheepdog puppy, Nettle. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Miss Baldry-Roberts said it was brilliant to see so many travel to the region to watch and support the competition.

She said: 'It's been a wonderful day in a superb Norfolk setting.'

The English Nursery Final event at Castle Rising with competing sheepdogs under three-years-old from around the country. Sue Little from Kerdiston near Reepham with her sheepdog Twiggy, known as Tig, ready to compete. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

The English Nursery Final event at Castle Rising with competing sheepdogs under three-years-old from around the country. One dog watches every move the sheepdogs make. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

The English Nursery Final event at Castle Rising with competing sheepdogs under three-years-old from around the country. Sue Little from Kerdiston near Reepham watches her sheepdog Twiggy, known as Tig, at work. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

The English Nursery Final event at Castle Rising with competing sheepdogs under three-years-old from around the country. Frank Whitfield from the Northern Society works with his dog Jock. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

The English Nursery Final event at Castle Rising with competing sheepdogs under three-years-old from around the country. Spectators brave the cold to watch the dogs at work. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

The English Nursery Final event at Castle Rising with competing sheepdogs under three-years-old from around the country. Twiggy, known as Tig, from Kerdiston near Reepham, at work. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)