Ringing the changes to survive

Where do agricultural shows come from? Sometimes they can seem like schools, or buses, or the National Health Service – good things that are always there. But changing times and habits can take a show down in the blink of an eye. One year the Royal was thriving, then came foot and mouth, and suddenly that celebration of food, farming, craft and expertise was gone.

Most shows are not government-funded. Money earned last year funds the show for this. Penistone, in the high South Pennines, first had a show in 1853, when rich landowners got together in a mutual boast.

It was easy then. They had the staff to scrub the livestock and grow the leeks. Nowadays the staff are largely volunteers and the livestock scrubbers have to be lured from their lairs like shy deer.

As for the leeks – well, leek growing seems to be part of our national psyche. And thank goodness for that.

Penistone has had more than a few ups and downs. The Boer war was a definite down. Rinderpest was another stumbling block.

Then came the Second World War, when the determination to go on as normal came a poor second to rationing, food provision and active service. The show slipped into what might have been permanent oblivion.

But you can’t keep Penistone down for long and 50 years ago someone realised there was still £200 in the show fund, the war was over and we no longer needed big landowners to run things.

A few cows were rustled up, plus some terriers for races, the leek growers needed no encouragement and suddenly it was on.

George Bashforth and Dorothy are two stalwarts still around from those early days. Elaine, one of Dorothy’s two daughters, dimly remembers being a post for the main gate – in her pushchair. Clearly it had an effect, since she is now secretary of the cattle and sheep, while her sister, Jackie, is up to her neck in horses. As for the rest of the committee, it’s Penistone people, loving the sense that this is a 21st century town that refuses to forget its roots.

Shows have to change though, or they die. Spectacle has to be provided. This year it’s a stunt carriage driving team. Shows have to be determined too, when mad ponies and their madder owners, lost children and collapsing pensioners strive to dishearten even the greatest enthusiast.

Health and safety cannot be ignored, even if stallholders cry “but we’re in a field!”

Then there’s technology. like buying discounted tickets through the website. Once the trade stands sold bulbs and pet beds – and they still do. But nowadays it’s alternative energy and glamorous crafts as well. Next Saturday there’s a marquee crammed with show memorabilia, as well as old farm machinery. Next year, who knows? Penistone never stands still.

Showfield and Recreation Ground, Penistone. www.penistoneshow.com

SHOW’S POST WAR REVIVAL

Fifty years ago archery was popular at the time and the local club was invited, bringing with it one Frank Clegg. He managed Penistone Show for the next 30 years.

Not that it was easy. Dorothy, Frank’s wife, remembers year four. “We’d been doing so well we’d hired a marquee.

“But then the weather turned, we didn’t get so many folk and we couldn’t pay the bill.

“The committee had a whipround and when Frank came home and told me what we had to pay I didn’t think we could. But we managed. It got better after that.”