The weather was the one thing the club could not organise, and by mid-morning on Saturday it looked as if it could wreck much of the day.

Part of the field was squelching with deep mud, there was the occasional call for a tractor to pull out a stuck vehicle, and heavy showers were battering down.

But farmers are used to coping with much worse, and with two centuries behind them, the club is more than capable of dealing with the weather.

Huge marquees provided shelter for many aspects of the show and the fun rolled on.

The children's marquee was packed with the songs of Mr Boom ringing out. Highland dancers competed under canvas. The industrial tent was full of lovely work.

A bar tent did a roaring trade; the new food fair was indoors; and the craft tent was filled with stalls, while traders' stalls outside were also covered.

But the squalls soon blew over and by afternoon the sun was shining on a top quality parade, and on breath-taking, death-defying entertainment.

''It was a very busy day,'' said club president Russell Kerr afterwards. ''Our gate numbers are up and our bar takings are up.''

He was also delighted at the number of exhibitors.

''It was an excellent turn out of stock and the standard of the animals was excellent,'' he said. ''I felt very proud leading that line of stock round the field.

''The show is our shop window.''

The Ayrshire Champion was overall winner, Harperfield Blossom 8th, a second calver on her first time out, shown by Bill Lindsay.

Beef interbreed champion was a 15-month-old Limousin cross bullock from Christine Tough of West Shawtonhill Farm, Chapelton, which had already won at Lesmahagow and Newmilns.

The Texels as usual had a massive turnout, with 170 entries and visitors to the show this year included 32 Texel breeders from Northern Ireland.

Texel champion and sheep interbreed champion was a tup lamb from Robert Laird of Cambwell.

It was only the second time Robert — who has had the interbreed championship three times — had shown home-bred Oscar.

Dog champion was three-year-old Smudge, a Jack Russell shown by Katie Arthur of Dolphinton. And top horse was Welsh pony Nethermoss Mr McKiwi, exhibited by Susan Robson of Howgate, Penicuik.

In the industrial section Mrs D Cairns of Biggar swept the boards, taking the trophies for most points in each of the three sections, as well as the overall championship rosebowl.

The club's history was reflected in many ways throughout Saturday's event.

Around 100 exhibitors took part in a vintage display, and an old threshing machine worked throughout the day.

The children's poster competition theme was the bicentenary; and there were displays in both the secretary's and industrial tent of past documents and posters (and a 1980 Lanark Gazette!)

Another highlight was a shearing duel, between legends Iain Minto — using powered clippers but blindfolded — and Willie Craig using hand clippers.

And the club's Bicentenary Handbook, was launched. Author Ann Matheson was kept busy signing the first copies of the book, which will be on sale in local shops from this week. Proceeds will go to the club.

For full results, see this week's Carluke and Lanark Gazette.

And remember, folks, all of the pictures featuerd in our slideshow - taken by Gazette photographer Lindsay Addison - can be purchased from our offices for just £5 each. Call 01555 678792 or 772802 to order.