Popular agricultural show looks to future with charitable status

The Howden Show Committee applied to the Charity Commission earlier this year and recently heard that its application had been successful.

The show which attracted just over 4,000 people in July is designed to appeal to a broad cross-section of the local community, and champions all aspects of rural life, from crafts to grow your own.

A new additon this year was a food festival, showcasing Yorkshire-based food and drink producers.

Chairman of the Howden Show Committee Andy Formon said: “Charity status brings a number of tax-related benefits but also increases the show committee’s chances of attracting grant funding from other organisations. We see this as a really positive step towards ensuring that the show continues for many years to come. Our overall aims are to put on a fantastic event for the community and ensure that the show’s future is secure. We’re aware of the difficulties faced by the previous committee in years when the event was affected by bad weather.

“Although we had a fantastic year this year, we need to make sure that we’re financially prepared for every eventuality.

“This means using any funding that we can attract or revenue from the show wisely to develop and expand the event in future years, but also to ensure that we’re better prepared to cope if conditions are less than favourable.”

The committee holds its meetings on the first Monday of every month at 7pm at The Wellington Hotel, Howden. Members of the public are welcome.