8:30am Thursday 2nd September 2010
Among the thousands who flocked to Malham Show on Saturday were 18 visitors from Settle’s twin town, Banyuls sur Mer, in France.
Not only were they given an insight into a traditional agricultural show, with its livestock and produce classes, but they also got to experience the unpredictable Dales weather.
Despite a good forecast, black clouds gathered and, by mid-afternoon, the heavy downpours began to turn the showfield into a quagmire.
Everything went ahead as planned, although conditions were far from ideal.
Show president Tony Robinson said: “It has been a typical Malham Show. Entries are up, particularly in the sheep classes, but the weather has been disappointing. Overall, the show has been really pleasing and a lot of effort has gone into it.”
Mr Robinson, a former show secretary, was continuing a long family tradition. His wife, Shirley, has been involved in the show all her life and her parents, Harry and Betty Bolland, were key figures in the show’s survival over many years.
“It is well worth keeping the show going,” said Mr Robinson. “It is a great day out and a community event.”
Chairman Neil Heseltine said the show had gone well despite the rain.
“We have stuck to our traditional principles to further agriculture and horticulture in Malhamdale,” he added.
Rain affected attendance, but entries were strong in most categories, with the sheep section being particularly well- supported. One class, for blue-faced Leicester gimmer lambs, attracted 18 entries.
Sheep judge Jeremy Eaton, who is also general manager of Craven Cattle Marts, said: “The quality has been very, very high and it is nice to see such a good entry at a show like this.”
The champion sheep was a Swaledale tup, shown by local farmer Bill Cowperthwaite.
“I am very pleased, it has been a good show,” he said.
Top honours in the cattle section went to Bell Busk farmer Brian Moorhouse, whose homebred Holstein Friesians took both the championship and reserve championship trophies.
There was a disappointing turnout in the heavy horses. “We need to work out why for next year,” said secretary Judith Bradley.
Entries in the Shetland horse classes were also low.
However, the horticultural and produce tent was crammed full of exhibits, ranging from elegant dahlias to dandelions with the longest roots and from butterfly buns to walking sticks.
Once again the fell races attracted competitors from far and wide. The senior event was won by Ted Mason, from Appletreewick, who had earlier finished fourth in the dry stone walling competition.
And there was a close finish in the under-17 event, with Ben Johnstone managing to hold off James Hall by a mere whisker.
* See today's Craven Herald for a list of trophy winners, the full results and lots more pictures.
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