Thousands of visitors make 97th Wensleydale Show great success

THOUSANDS of people turned out for the 97th Wensleydale Show on Saturday despite forecasts of heavy rain.

Those who did were rewarded with a treat as the weather stayed fine until 2.30pm when the heavens opened, although fortunately the picture improved later on.

The chairman of Wensleydale Agricultural Society, former sheep exhibitor David Ford who took the chair in November, said the show had been a great success and thanked local people for ignoring all the bad weather omens.

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He said: “We have had 5,500 people through the turnstiles and including members and exhibitors we think in excess of 7,000 people will have been here.

“I think the rain on Friday deterred some people but we did have a record number of trade stands and entries.

“Spirits were dampened when the rain started but there it is – we have not had very good weather for the last few years.”

For those who did attend they were able to enjoy all the usual fun of a country show as well as some very dramatic moments as a motorcycle stuntman thrilled the crowds by riding through a wall of flames.

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Elsewhere there was a strong showing of vintage cars while for those interested in poultry it was a good year with that section proving very popular.

Mr Ford added that the James Herriot effect had helped to give Wensleydale a high profile although it was many years since the late Alf Wight, who wrote the phenomenally successful vet stories, had turned up for lunch.

He said: “The Herriot story has increased interest in the Dales but has no particular bearing on the show though at one time there was the James Herriot run organised by the Round Table.”

He said the society was interested in taking on new members, adding: “A lot of people retire here and they have a lot of talents which we could use.”