Prize Presentation

1800. They have returned to put on a display from the factory at a country fair (Counterset Fair) Elizabeth and John have each entered their sheepdogs in the trials.

Elsie was working as a window deresser; She always wanted to be allowed to design her own display.

She got her chance when they wanted a display at a country fare, for  products from the factory. She had been given a free hand as to the stand layout; and every thing that she wanted for the display.

With the stand erected at the fare; her work was finished,; she was free to look around the fare. Gail, the office manager was dealing with visitors assisted by others from the management team. She sent Elsie to have a look around.

Prize giving

13 March 2022

13:31

"Why don't you go and watch the dog handlers, for a while Elsie?"

"I think you may find it interesting, it's definitely amazing how the handler can control the dog at such distance, John should be first in the newcomers event. Elizabeth will be much later She is in the single dog event twice, then later in the two dog event."

John was called to the stand

"Mr John Ward, the local Blacksmith with Liz, this is his first time in any dog competition, He says that he is going to make Liz some metal shoes for winter wear."

John took the stand, gave Liz a pat. 'Good dog he whispered'

"Away, which was the instruction for Liz to go off to the left, as he had been instructed to do by Elizabeth; Steady to slow him down Away. Liz was now behind the sheep, they hadn't seen her approaching. sheep turned towards home

Liz guided them towards the first obstacle; a fence made from hurdles with a gap in the centre to represent a gate, the sheep hesitated; Liz came in closer; one made an attempt to breakaway left, Liz moved towards it . another made an attempt to the right. Liz was on it. One sheep moved through the gate, closely followed by the others.

The next obstacle was a bridge made from two parallel lines of hurdles. Again Liz prevented breakaways,

Liz took the sheep to the shedding ring, where he had to get all the flock into the circle, then select the sheep that was marked by wearing a coloured collar, one sheep escaped. Liz completed the task of separating the marked sheep then recovered the stray.

The last obstacle was the pen. John had walked over and stood by the open gate.

All the sheep went in with a little persuasion, from Liz. John closed the gate. task completed

"Well done Mr Blacksmith." from the announcer

Elsie left to see other stalls, inspecting how they had been constructed.

 

 

Chapter Nineteen

The Prize giving

 

 

Gail heard some loud shouting then a huge cheer. 'What was happening?.

The others came back whooping with excitement, Arthur, Elizabeth and John; and their four dogs. .

When they came to Elizabeth's prize of first and second again in the one dog event, she had also won first prize in the two dog event.

They told Gail of the prize presentation and the announcement of the engagement, they said Elizabeth had stolen the show

It took quite some time before the announcer could continue

As they were presenting her prizes, The announcer asked about her family

"I hear that your family have gone to work in a mill in West Yorkshire."

"Yes they left to join with a wealthy entrepreneur, in a new venture; they are providing the practical skills,

Their is a stand showing a new range aimed at ladies, My outfit is from their range"

She was wearing a shooting jacket in Olive green with a faint light grey mist, and skirt in a flecked brown with the same mist overtone.

John came up from behind the group.

He reached for the announcers loudhailer.

The spectators hushed.

"Miss Elizabeth Worth, I am not a rich man, I cannot afford a diamond ring."

"Oh."

"So I have made one myself at my anvil."

"Aw."

" Miss Elizabeth Worth, You told me I had to learn to handle a dog, now I think I have achieved that command, now, will you accept my blacksmiths ring. Will you marry me?"

" Cheers."

Elizabeth took the loudhailer

"Mr John Ward, If I accept your offer, you will have to learn to obey my commands."

"Oh."

"Yes I will wear your blacksmiths ring, with pride, I will marry you."

"loud cheers."

"Here is my first command. Pick up those cups and follow me."

More loud cheers. John picked up the two cups she reached and patted his shoulder

"Good Boy."

The crowd went ecstatic

"Walk on; Away."

Then she waved her hand to the spectators as they left the arena

There were numerous requests to see the blacksmiths ring; most expecting to see a large rough, effort. Instead it was a neat, thin, black band, with an all over, smooth round finish, no rough edges at all

Gail offered her congratulations

Word had come through, that Elsie's display had taken 'Top stand in the commercial section.

Gail was to collect the prize, she took Elsie with her. she told them that this was all Elsie's work, that all she and the others had put in was encouragement and the odd hand.

Elsie was made to go to the stand to be presented with the cup, while Gail accepted the certificate. They were asked about the farm. and the firm.

Gail said how they were local people, while Elsie was from the area in West Yorkshire where they were based and that the display was all her design, she had been employed for window and shop displays.