Silver lining for lucky show-goers as fantastic displays displace rain-clouds

But fortune smiled on the event as clouds cleared and sunshine emerged just as the crowds began to wander through the gates at the Pateley Bridge showground.

Those that kept the faith and attended were rewarded with a fantastic display of cattle and sheep, with entry levels well up on last year's.

The well-organised and popular show takes place between Harrogate and Skipton and attracts visitors from across Yorkshire and beyond.

John Fawcett, president of the Nidderdale Agricultural Society, which organises and manages the show, praised the hard work of the volunteers at the event and said he was happy with the way things had turned out.

He told the Yorkshire Post: "It was very wet yesterday, after all this dry weather we have had this summer of course it meant it had to rain non-stop the day before the show.

"But the sun has shone and it is warm and lovely now.

"There are plenty of people here, all enjoying themselves, and taking a great interest in the cattle and sheep which makes this show and this area so unique."

Among the visitors to this year's event was Bert Verity, making his 80th appearance at Nidderdale Show with an attendance record that stretches back decades.

"There is no other show like Nidderdale," the 97-year-old stalwart told organisers in the president's tent.

Large crowds gathered around the main ring for the various horse and dog attractions while the cattle lines were particularly strong with exhibitors having travelled from all over the UK to show their animals there.

Mr Fawcett, enjoying his last year in charge of the historic society, said it was too early to give concrete attendance figures but said that it was likely to be a strong turnout.

RESULTS

Cattle

Dairy

Supreme – Mr A Jennings, Fountains Abbey, Ripon. Reserve – IRG Collins and Partners, Dewsbury; Holstein: A Jennings, Fountains Abbey Ripon; Jersey: IRG Collins and Partners, Dewsbury; Dairy Shorthorns: IRG Collins and Partners, Dewsbury; Dexters: S Darnbrook, Roxsburgshire.

Beef

Interbreed Supreme – M & SP Cooper, Dacre, Harrogate. Reserve – A Richardson and J Hyslop, Appleby, Cumbria; Aberdeen Angus: JH Swires, Pateley Bridge; Charolais: GW Turner, Ripon; Limousin: JM & SP Cooper, Dacre, Harrogate;

Beef Shorthorn: P Braithwaite, Stokesley; Highland: G Braines, Sunderland; British Blue: S Gill, Dacre, Harrogate.

Commercial Beef

A Richardson and J Hyslop, Appleby, Cumbria.

Sheep

Interbreed Supreme – K Foster, Leyburn. Reserve – J Bradley, Settle; Suffolk: L Peel, Thirsk; Texel: M Hall, New Mill; Dalesbred: J Bradley, Settle; Charollais: K Foster, Leyburn; Beltex: Clapham, Lancaster; Wensleydale: M Elliot, Knaresborough;

Swaledale: M Ewbank, Harrogate; Blue-faced Leicester: G Fairburn, Dacre, Harrogate; Mules:

AM and HV Brown, Bedale; Teeswater: M Elliot, Knaresborough; Masham: DH Verity, Harrogate; Jacob: JT & PA Black, Gowthorpe, York; North Country Cheviot: KO & EA Stones, Richmond;

Ryedale: P Rothwell, Knaresborough; Any other breed: H Chapman, Bewerley, Harrogate.