Director expects more growth next year

WITH records broken, a host of new attractions and international attention now falling on the event, Countryside Live is now taking its place as one of the country’s most prestigious shows.

Now in its eighth year the Autumnal showcase is now part of the farming calendar with visitors now coming from abroad.

The 2010 event saw record entries in the competitive classes, top British chefs and some of the country’s foremost equestrian experts in attendance with a crowd of above 10,000 for the third year in succession in attendance.

Yesterday saw an official visit from a delegation of 40 Swedish farmers and agricultural businessmen who met chief executive Nigel Pulling and were given a tour of the site.

Members of the delegation , who are looking to develop the area’s pig farming sector, said they were impressed with what they saw.

Sarah Johansson, who runs an abattoir in southern Sweden, told the Yorkshire Post: “We want to slaughter more pigs and our abattoirs are quite slow. “We are looking to invest more in pig production; we want new houses for the animals. We have had a good first impression of what is done here and have got some good ideas.

“Pig production for us at the moment is not particularly good economics so hopefully we will see something new that will give us some inspiration.”

The event got off to a tricky start with cold weather, grey skies and persistent drizzle .

However crowds still flocked through the gates at Harrogate to enjoy the start of the mainly indoor event.

But there was also tragedy after a man, thought to be aged in his mid-to-late sixties, collapsed on the showground and was rushed to hospital where he later died.

The rain cleared by Saturday afternoon with yesterday proving glorious despite the autumn chill.

Yesterday saw particularly strong crowds for both the Xtreme motorbike displays and the archery displays, run by Top Flight Archery.

The latter allowed members of the public to test their skills with the bow and arrow against a range of targets.

Bill Cowling, show director, said the international visits and strong entry levels were symptomatic of Countryside Live’s growing appeal.

“We are growing and we are an increasingly national show. It is something that is just bound to happen and we should hopefully have a bit more next year.”

With cattle classes in particular now having reached capacity well-ahead of the event Mr Cowling said he and his team would have to examine increasing the amount of storage on offer, but that this remained “further down the road”.

“It would have to see major investment to see that expansion. This year all 183 cattle were best cattle there are. We build every year and I think we provide a full family show and everyone can come here for a good day out.”