Indian summer brings big show turnout

Around 10,000 visitors flocked to the South Yorkshire show at Penistone Showground, north of Sheffield.

The wettest summer on record has seen giants of the show season such as the Great Yorkshire Show and the North Yorkshire County Show cancelled or abandoned part-way through, resulting in huge losses for show committees.

However, with rare sunshine having shone on Yorkshire in recent days, organisers reported an upsurge in interest from traders, many of whom have lost out due to the summer wet weather. The show, the biggest in the South Yorkshire agricultural calendar, enjoyed strong visitor numbers and very strong entry of livestock.

The supreme interbreed champion in the cattle classes was taken by Tracey Severn while the supreme sheep title was won by R&A Stephenson with their Suffolk animal.

Organisers admitted that wet year made the horticulture classes “interesting” and that “anyone who produces a good display needs hearty congratulations, but we know our local growers will always come up trumps”.

Other highlights included the cookery theatre featuring top name chefs hailing from
 the area.

A large crowd gathered around the Farriery Competition, organised by Daniel Lowe of Pennine Farriers, a class which is building year on year.

A variety of music, including brass band and jazz, was performed as well as displays for stunt bikes and birds of prey.

Other well-attended areas of the showground included the vintage vehicles section, organised by Robert Halliday for the very first time, which boasted a 101-year-old car.