IN a very short time, Craven’s agricultural show season will be underway. The traditional agricultural shows may not attract the numbers they once did, the show tables in the craft tents may not heave with the entries of old, and the animal classes may not be as busy. But the shows do still pull the crowds, and if the recent Skipton Waterway Festival and Skipton Races over the early May Bank Holiday weekend prove anything, fine weather can easily double or triple the numbers.

But, even when the sun does fail to come out - as frequently happens, and even if the show fields become quagmires, one thing is for sure - it will have failed to have 'dampened spirits'.

So, for those who may never have visited a show before - give one a go, there will be something to appeal to all, whether its a vintage tractor, a live band, or a falconry display. They are also the perfect opportunity to get up close to cattle and sheep, to be amazed by the vast selection of poultry, and with any luck, the weather will be kind, and displays of vegetables and flowers will be second to none.

The area's first woman bishop, the Rt Rev Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, Bishop of Ripon, has already shown her enthusiasm for Craven by visiting the area on the day it was announced she would be taking on the role.

“Over the past few months, since becoming Bishop of Ripon in the Anglican Diocese of Leeds, I have been getting out and about. The landscape of the Yorkshire Dales speaks about the ancientness of what it means to work the land, to care for it, and to survive through good times and bad," she said.

"This has been a long and hard winter, but the signs of warmth are finally coming.The season of agricultural shows provides a great opportunity for a celebration of the life of this part of England. Shows are about hope and thanksgiving, both rich themes to hold on to in our current climate.”

First of the district's agricultural shows is Gargrave, followed by Malham, Kilnsey, and finally, Bentham.

Gargrave Show this year is due to be held on Saturday, August 18, when its president will be Jonathan Stockton. It will be the 114th time the show has been held, and it will take place in the fields in front of Eshton Hall. It will feature cattle and sheep classes, and horse classes, and a dog show, alongside a variety of trade stands, stalls and the ever popular fell race. There will also be a range of entertainment taking place in the main ring, which a couple of years ago saw a thrilling 'puissance' wall knock out competition for horses and their riders. A minibus service will run people to and from the show from the summer seat, in the village, and from the junction of the A65 and Eshton Road.

Malham Show is held every year on August Bank Holiday Saturday, and this year will be held on August 25.

Held under the shadow of Malham Cove, the traditional agriculture and family country show - and fell racing - has been going for more than a hundred years. It has also gained prominence by featuring on television's The Dales, and on the film 'The Lad'.

Show goers will be entertained with a line up including cattle and sheep, horse and pony show classes and showjumping.

There will also be traditional Punch and Judy, vintage agricultural vehicles, and a farmers market.

Also, children's sports, dry stone walling, and exhibitions of handicrafts, horticulture and floral art, a falconry display, art and photography.

Kilnsey Show and Sports, takes place on a weekday - and this year will take place on Tuesday, August 28. The first ever Kilnsey Show took place in 1897, the year of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

Its aim today - as then - is to promote and showcase life and farming in the Yorkshire Dales, and in particular, the breeding of livestock, along with crafts and rural traditions.

Now, the show, held in the shadow of Kilnsey Crag, has expanded and diversified to become one of the county's largest one day agricultural shows. It is also one of the best known of its kind, attracting competitors and visitors from a wide area.

It is, say organisers, a great family day out offering an enjoyable taste of life in the countryside.

There are the usual sheep and cattle classes and horse events throughout the day. Horse classes include riding, shires, hunters, mountain and moorland, and culminating in harness racing - always a thrilling spectacle.

There are also sheepdog trials, attracting top dog handlers from all over the country, as well as displays, demonstrations and attractions covering all aspects of farming and rural life.

Competition classes will take place in produce, handicrafts, photography, flowers and flower arrangements, vegetables, walking sticks, vintage tractors, dry stone walling and farm crops.

There will also be around a hundred trade stands and a food hall offering the best of regional produce, with local chefs carrying out cookery master classes.

Towards the end of the afternoon, Kilnsey Sports take centre stage, notably the famous fell races, involving the punishing ascent and descent of famous Kilnsey Crag, one of the toughest sporting challenges.

Bentham Show, on Saturday, September 1, is a agricultural show, but with no horse classes. The show is held at Bentham Auction Mart, which bearing in mind it is the last of the season, means if it turns out wet, the event can move indoors.

It also features a range of handicraft classes, for both adults and children, including classes for knitted garments, and anniversary cards, photography, and 'stick dressing' - showing off the very best examples of walking sticks.