Young pig handlers take stage as thousands attend town show

“If you pull a horse, it’ll follow you.

“But if you pull a pig it’ll dig its heels in and won’t move an inch.”

This was the sound advice handed out to a diverse crowd gathered in the sunshine at the 139th annual Penistone Show this weekend to watch one of the most keenly contested classes – that of the best young pig handler.

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Hordes of teenagers were as enthralled as the farmers and pensioners watching alongside them, as young entrants led their animals around the ring.

“What is it with teenage girls and pigs?” said Liz Walker, from the Penistone Show’s organising committee.

“They love them, and I don’t know why. Perhaps they’re becoming quite trendy.”

Trendy would perhaps have been one of the last words associated with the Penistone Show, billed as the largest one-day agricultural show in the North, in the past.

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But as the sun shone on the Pennine market town on Saturday, September 10, thousands of people of all ages descended upon the showground to watch the agricultural classes, sample local produce in the food tents, view the vintage farm machinery or else relax at the live music stage with a pint of real ale or two.

“Penistone has a unique character, with a very mixed community”, Mrs Walker said.

“We’re a country town, but we’re right on the edge of several urban areas. I don’t think we’re ever going to lose our agricultural roots.”

Last year was a slightly disappointing one for the Penistone Show for many reasons.

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The weather let the organising committee down and the arrival of a highly controversial new Tesco supermarket on part of the showground’s land meant that some aspects of the event had to be moved from their traditional home.

But this year, the feeling was distinctly more upbeat, as attendance was back up and even Tesco pledged its support.

“Tesco even sponsored us this year”, Mrs Walker said.

“They’ve really helped us, and we’re thrilled. Last year, I don’t think they knew what they were dealing with.

“They thought we were a little village fete, and didn’t know what had happened when the show hit town.

“But this year, they’re really on board.”

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All the tickets still have to be totted up, but show organisers hope admission will be well up on last year.

Mrs Walker said: “On a good year we get 20,000, and this looks like a good year to me.

“Although we have had to increase prices due to an increase in costs, we have offered discounts, such as an online discount for those who booked beforehand.”

Saturday also marked the 50th anniversary of Penistone Show since it restarted after the Second World War and, to mark the occasion, a marquee was set up showing how the event has changed over the years.

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While traditional classes such as the cattle, pigs and sheep will have changed little since the show was established almost a century and a half ago, there were also a huge range of more modern attractions to draw in a new generation of visitors.

Main draws included a Chariots of Fire stunt driving display by Amanda Saville, a bungee trampoline, a display from the Westgate cheerleaders and demonstrations from the Savage Skills mountain bikers.

Tesco store put future in doubt

THE FUTURE of Penistone Show previously hung in the balance after it was announced that a new Tesco supermarket would be coming to the market town.

Planning permission was granted after a drawn-out battle, which included ideas such as granting the showground “village green” status to protect it, and Tesco opened in August 2010.

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However, although Tesco is open and the show has lived to tell the tale, the battle isn’t quite over yet. Tesco developer Dransfield Properties said it would buy a piece of land adjacent to the showground which could be used for public events – but that sale never went through.

“We were promised a piece of compensatory land, but never got it”, organiser Liz Walker said. “If we did have it, we could fit in more trade stands and more livestock.”