WHAT we have learned during the pandemic over the past 16 or so months is that we are all ready to have some fun.

It put paid last year to some of the well-loved activities we have taken for granted in the past.

These are the steadfast agricultural and sports events held year upon year in the Dales and which attract many tens of thousands of visitors.

Last year, the first time since foot and mouth in 2001, these were stopped.

This year a number have vowed to go ahead and, barring any disastrous news, are 99.9 per cent sure of putting on as good a show as is possible in 2021.

Those who have decided to go ahead (again barring any disaster) are Kilnsey, Malham and Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

To be fair, they can’t quite say 100 per cent until Boris Johnson makes the announcement on July 19, but the signs are looking good and the new health secretary, Sajid Javid, has been making the right noises.

Staging a show is hard work and plans usually start the day after the last one. Trade stands have to be contacted, marquees ordered, entertainment booked and the like.

The shows won’t be quite as big but they will be very much appreciated by those of us who love a good show and are in need of some good old-fashioned fun.