Farm show has to move date after breaking Sunday laws for decade

Bingley Show, which dates back 130 years, has been held on a Sunday for the past 10 years.

But Airedale Agricultural Society, which organises the event, is now planning next year's show for another day after it emerged holding the show on a Sunday at Myrtle Park in Bingley contravenes legislation dating back to the 19th century.

Chairman and managing director of Airedale Agricultural Society Leslie Gore said: "It was brought to my attention by Bradford Council that there was a problem with holding the show on a Sunday. When we looked at it, it was a legal matter.

"We have no axe to grind with the local authority whatsoever. We came to an amicable solution."

The society was made aware of the issue in May – just months before this year's event was due to be held in Myrtle Park – after Bradford Council was contacted by a member of the public who found an old act of Parliament.

The show was allowed to continue last Sunday as planned in Myrtle Park.

Bradford Council strategic director for culture, tourism and sport Jane Glaister said: "Following a request from a member of the public Bradford Council uncovered an old act of Parliament – S44 of the Public Health Acts Amendment Act 1890 – which states that the local authority may on such days as they think fit close the park for any agricultural, horticultural show...provided that no such park or pleasure ground shall be closed on Sundays.

"Another part of the act known as – S76(1) of the Public Health Acts Amendment Act 1907 – does give the local authority certain powers to set apart any such part of a park for the purposes of recreation and exclude public from the part set apart. Unfortunately this only applies to a part of the park and not the whole or majority of the park which is necessitated by Bingley Show.

"As Bingley Show charge admission and use the whole of the park they are effectively excluding public. If Bradford Council were to continue to let Bingley show use Myrtle Park on a Sunday it would mean that the council would be operating beyond their powers. Bingley Show have thus been asked to book another day."

Airedale Agricultural Society is plans to hold next year's Bingley Show on Saturday, July 23.