Ryedale lifted by surge of entries

The numbers of cattle, sheep and pigs entered are up on last year's as the show celebrates its 144th anniversary.

And after two record-breaking years for attendance the show's organising committee are hopeful they can make it three in a row as Ryedale puts a decade of bad luck behind it.

Foot and mouth restrictions have taken its toll on the show and wet weather led to the show's cancellation in 2007 after the showground was flooded. However Peter Woodall, Ryedale show secretary, told the Yorkshire Post that entrance levels for this Tuesday's show in the animals classes were approaching the level seen prior to disease and weather-related restrictions.

Mr Woodall, who is stepping down as show secretary after 40 years, said: "We have been putting the show together every night this week – everything is progressing reasonably well.

"We have some 220 head of cattle, 600 entries in sheep – some of which are two in a pen – and around 50 pigs set to attend."

New attractions this year will include a display of not only sheep dogs, but sheep geese and ducks as well.

However, Mr Woodall said that he and his team very much wanted to keep an emphasis on time-honoured attractions which have made the show so successful for more than a century.

"We are a classical, traditional agricultural show," he said. "We do not put fantastic motor shows on in the main ring. We are an agricultural show and keep it as such."

The Ryedale Show first took place in 1855 and takes place between Thirsk and Pickering in North Yorkshire. Prize money in excess of 20,000 is up for grabs.

Last year there was a local winner in the dairy class, with Sam Howarth, of Wilton, Pickering, coming out on top.

The event takes place on Tuesday, at Welburn Park, Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire, with gates open to the public from 8.30am.

CW 24/7/10