It’s that time of year again at Otley

The show season is upon us. Chris Berry talks to one of the key figures at Otley Show, which kicks off the season next weekend.
Mark Lofthouse looking forward with great pride to this year's Otley ShowMark Lofthouse looking forward with great pride to this year's Otley Show
Mark Lofthouse looking forward with great pride to this year's Otley Show

When a then eight-year-old Mark Lofthouse ran the results from the produce tent at Otley Show to the secretary’s tent he thought nothing of what he was doing other than the pride he felt in being involved in his own local show. For decades, Mark and his family have been mainstays of what is reputed to be the world’s oldest agricultural show which next Saturday it celebrates its 204th event.

The family links go even further into agriculture than show involvement, and very much into the rural world as Mark’s father Frank was a vet in the town for 40 years until he retired at 72 and was the Wharfedale equivalent of James Herriot, specialising in horses. He had a farm practice that continues to this day as Cross Green Veterinary Practice.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This year Mark has taken on the role of President of the Wharfedale Agricultural Society that runs Otley Show and he recalls the pride he had as an eight-year-old in running with the results so they could be recorded and announced.

“I can remember someone putting an arm band on me that day with the letters WAS, the society’s initials, and feeling so proud that I was a part of the show. I spent two or three years running backwards and forwards with results on show day. My mother, Pat, was chairman of the produce tent and one of the first women chairmen.

“It was a wonderful moment for me back all those years ago, but I cannot think of a greater honour for someone who was born in Wharfedale than to be President of this fantastic show.

“Our location is brilliant too. We are very lucky to have such a scenic show in front of Ashfield House, home of the Lister family who own the fields that are used as the showground, with the lake and Otley Chevin in the background.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The Lister family are also very enthusiastic and Mervyn Lister was President of the society four years ago. His sons Martin and Graham are both with me on the ground committee.”

Mark has for the past 20 years held the post of ground chairman, which he describes as an all-year round job.

“My team sets up the whole show. We make sure that all the tents and marquees are here, that all the fences and signs are in place and all of the mowing is completed. It’s all about making everything ready. I’m sure some people just think it is all done in the week leading up to the show but there is a great deal more to it than that. We meet throughout the year.”

In the past 20 years the show has had some changes, largely due to the demolition of what was Bridge End Market, one of Otley’s two livestock markets.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

For several years after the market closed it was used to house the show’s cattle and sheep entries but was subsequently demolished. Where it once stood is now the hard standing for the cattle wagons.

“The parking facility it now provides for our livestock exhibitors is a major asset to the show and Carl Coombes who owns that land has always been very generous in letting us continue to use it.”

Cattle entries are today housed in marquees on the showfield and paraded in the rings next to them.

“Our show is the first in what is a very long show season and we are well aware of getting it off to a great start.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Our show being the first in the season means that it could possibly be the first time that a lot of the livestock on show has been in front of the general public. The farmers and their stock handlers and showmen are extremely professional at controlling their animals and we’ve never had a problem but we are always aware of our responsibility in ensuring that everyone is as safe as they can be.”

Mark also points to the show being a real marker for the months ahead amongst the livestock exhibitors. For many it is their first throw of the dice for what they consider to be their great hopes. A rosette or a trophy at Otley can set up a season of considerable success, but it can also show the standard that needs to be reached.

“It has been said that winning at Otley Show gives exhibitors confidence that they may do well at the Great Yorkshire Show and I’m sure that is the case.

“The important thing to me is that every show we put on should have this view. Is there something for everyone? For grandpa and grandma, for mum and dad, and all the children? I think we have the lot.”

The 204th Otley Show takes place next Saturday, May 18.

An optimistic forecast

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After last year’s horrendous summer that saw a number of shows being cancelled, including the curtailment of the Great Yorkshire Show after the first day, Otley Show is hoping to set the ball rolling with good weather.

“Considering we are the first show our days have largely been pretty good. I asked our show secretary Janet Raw to take a look back at our reports to check on our past record. In the past 20 years we have had 12 glorious days, three of four iffy ones, one really terrible day and one of course cancelled as it was foot and mouth year in 2001. So we’ve actually done really well.”

Related topics: