Weather fails to dampen spirits at Wensleydale Show

The 98th Wensleydale Agricultural Show had a full range of classes including cattle, sheep, and heavy horse, horticultural, handicraft, and home craft sections with a flower and vegetable show.

A popular new addition – and handy when rain started around 2.30pm – was the Food from Farming marquee, showing off local food producers.

Also new to the show, which takes place just outside Leyburn, was a retrained racehorse class, arena bike trials and a dog show. Lord Brittan of Spennithorne judged and presented prizes for best trade stand with his wife Lady Diana. Show chairman David Ford said numbers were down from last year’s 7,000, to in excess of 5,000, but said: “We were very pleased with the attendance under the circumstances.

We had a very wet summer, followed by a wet Thursday and Friday afternoon, and it actually managed to stay fine till 2.30pm, which was a massive relief. I was very impressed by the stoicism of the public and traders and it turned out to be a success. We have growing local interest which is reflected in increasing membership.”

Thoughts are already turning to the 100th holding of the show in 2014, when the Knights of Middle England will be one of the top attractions.

As a precursor to 2014 events, Adam Henson, of Countryfile fame, will be speaking at a fundraising dinner in May.