The coming three weeks herald a real onslaught of rural fixtures – no fewer than 19 local shows take place varying in size from the 15,000 that visit Ryedale or Bingley Show to some of the smaller but no less enthusiastic agricultural societies where just a couple of thousand attend.

Several shows were cancelled last year due to torrential rainfall and ground saturation, and this year life hasn't been made any easier with bluetongue restrictions changing by the week.

Today sees little Bishop Wilton Show, near Pocklington, making a comeback after being one of last year's unfortunate casualties. It's more of a horse show than agriculture these days. The cattle and sheep have moved on, but it is nonetheless a lovely village show set in a picturesque part of the Wolds.

The main thoroughfare through the village is unique in that it is split by a stream, giving it one of the widest village high streets in the world. The Fleece is the renowned hostelry and
chief watering hole for all show-goers.

Today among the smaller shows is Sneaton and Hawsker Show at Sneaton Castle Farm on the B1416 near Whitby. The show organisers still maintain a healthy number of entries in the sheep classes, with Suffolks, Texels, Scotch Blackfaces, Swaledales and halfbreds. There is just one cattle class, for the Dexters.

If you're looking to make it a full weekend of attending shows, then you should visit either Arthington or Malton Show on Sunday. Situated just over the bridge on the edge of Pool in Wharfedale, Arthington Show is another of Yorkshire's most picturesque. It hosts open cattle classes and has three main sheep breed classes in Jacobs, Texels and Charollais. The views are spectacular whether looking out over Leathley and on to Farnley, or looking across to the railway viaduct.

Malton Show makes it to its 122nd year despite all of the pressures and uncertainties it has faced in the past few years. There was a time when those who run it didn't seem to know from one year to the next where it would be held.

But that's all well in the past and it has been residing at Scampston Park on the A64 for a good few years now and reported its healthiest year attendance-wise for a long while last year.

Next weekend sees another triumvirate take their annual bows. Cleveland County Show takes place at Stewart Park, Marton, Middlesbrough with cattle classes in both beef and dairy, with Jerseys and Holsteins, Simmental, Charolais, Limousin and Aberdeen Angus. The sheep classes include Suffolk, Texel, Blue Faced Leicester, Charollais and Swaledale. They will be holding their breath that the restrictions regarding bluetongue don't cause them the same problems that Harrogate and Driffield suffered.

Next Sunday, July 27, sees another delightful small-scale show return to its normal date. Last year Weeton Show, near Harrogate, was postponed until September as a result of the summer downpours. Weeton keeps to its roots with sheep classes in Texel and Longwool.

Huby and Sutton-on-the- Forest Agricultural Show also takes place next Sunday. It is held annually on the last Sunday in July in the spectacular parkland setting of Sutton Hall, the Yorkshire home of Sir Reginald and Lady Sheffield.

Now in its 117th year, the show is renowned as a great day out. It is to be congratulated on having maintained and indeed increased its wide range of livestock classes, including fur and feather, cattle, sheep, pigs and goats, together with farm and garden produce. Top class competitors from the world of show jumping also compete. The York Railway Institute Brass Band will be giving regular performances during the day and as usual there will be bar and refreshment facilities.

All told, that's just eight events in the next eight days as the Yorkshire agricultural show season hits pace – and it doesn't let up until September!


Agricultural show season 2008

July to September



Today Bishop Wilton,

Sneaton and & Hawsker

Tomorrow Aldborough & Boroughbridge Show,

Arthington Show,

Malton Show,

Sat July 26 Cleveland County Show

Sun July 27 Huby & Stutton Show,

Weeton Show

Tues July 29 Ryedale Show

Wed July 30 Borrowby Show



August

Sat 2 Emley Show,

Osmotherley Show,

Tockwith Show

Sun 3 Sykehouse Show

Wed 6 Thornton-le-Dale Show

Fri 8 Hinderwell Show

Sat 9 Ripley Show,

Sedgefield Show

Sun 10 Bingley Show

Wed 13 Danby Show

Sat 16 Gargrave Show,

Rosedale Show

Sun 17 Mirfield Show

Wed 20 Egton Show

Sat 23 Malhamdale Show,

Wensleydale Show

Mon 25 Burniston Show,

Farndale Show

Tues 26 Kilnsey Show

Wed 27 Reeth Show

Sat 30 Bilsdale Show



September

Wed 3 Muker Show

Sat 6 Keighley Show

Kildale Show

Sat 13 Peniston Show

Sat 20 Stokesley Show

Mon 22 Nidderdale Show.