Entries flood in for the last big show

The historic show at Pateley Bridge near Harrogate traditionally takes place in mid to late September and is one of the show calendar's most prestigious events.

Show committee chairman David Brown told the Yorkshire Post that entries in the cattle, sheep and pig classes were all up on last year and that he and his team were hoping for good weather and bumper crowds at the showground on Monday.

Mr Brown attributed the increased entry numbers to a growing interest in showing cattle again as farmers finally begin to get back on their feet after the well-publicised difficulties of the past decade.

"People are getting back into showing again. I do not want to go on about something like foot and mouth disease but it takes a lot of years for people to get over something like that. We are one of the biggest and most significant Dales shows in Yorkshire.

"Even our flower classes are up on last year."

Visitors will also enjoy a vintage tractor display plus classic vintage cars by Ripon Old Cars Club.

Cattle entries for this year stand at 359 while sheep entries are at 691. Nidderdale Show will also offer visitors a first class cricket match, a forestry exhibition and a display of horse classes.

And despite the well-documented issues facing the rural and general economies, the show's organising committee enjoyed an increased interest in trade stands.

As ever the show's organisers are at the mercy of the elements and are hoping for decent conditions both in the run-up to show day and the actual show itself.

"The weather was spot on last year," said Mr Brown.

"We had a great attendance last year and if we could have a repeat of that it would be brilliant. We have intentionally held prices down. We cannot start putting up admission fees the way things are so we have stuck by our old prices.

"I think people come to Pateley Bridge for the variety. There is something for everybody. People always say 'if you go to Pateley Bridge you will see people who you haven't seen since last year's show' – it's that kind of event."

Judging of classes gets underway from 8am with visitors advised to set off early to avoid the inevitable queues of traffic which form around the showground.

Ripon Farm Services will be offering visitors a chance to partake in a park and ride scheme with vehicles leaving from Silcroft Meadow and later Stoney's Field.

CW 18/9/10