Show organisers get ready for summer

Otley Show will get underway in just over two months, following on from last year's successful 200th anniversary celebrations.

And Bill Cowling, honorary show director of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, said he expected 2010 to be an excellent year for shows.

Mr Cowling said: "I am quite confident. Last year shows, both large and small, had a good year.

"From Otley, to Driffield to the Great Yorkshire we saw good shows, with good attendances and good atmospheres – and we expect to see that again this year.

"In our own experience, the interest we are getting from trade stands, livestock exhibitors and people wanting to come along is massive, which is wonderful."

He said that he was particularly pleased that non-farming audiences continued to be attracted to shows.

"It is a great thing that they are there as they are the consumers of farm produce," he said.

"A lot of the people who come will be lifestyle people who are helping to run the show and bring in a different view of things. It is great also that we can attract so many people to something which really exemplifies and promotes the rural way of life."

While the effects of the economic recession continue to have a major effect on all aspects of society, Mr Cowling said that he hoped that 2010's show season would continue to be strong.

"The rural economy seems to be better placed than some of the general economy, unless you happen to be milking cows that is," he said.

"Generally speaking, farmers' incomes were at their worst a couple of years ago and I think they have improved a bit as far as the general public are concerned.

"The value given by people to the Otley Show, Nidderdale Show and Great Yorkshire Show is amazing. People are not going to be hermits, they will want to go to something and I think that, as a group of shows, we are in a great position to offer value for money to people."

Janet Raw, Otley Show secretary, said that she and her fellow organisers hoped that this year's show, on Saturday May 22, would be of similar quality to last year's bicentennial celebrations.

"We were pleasantly surprised at last year's show to have a lot of people who had never been to a show with many saying they would be coming back again."

Mrs Raw added that she hoped to have a lot of interactive attractions for children to make the event a real family day out.

"We are still looking for volunteers", she added. "Just coming along for a couple of hours to help with stewarding or results is a big help."

For more details visit www.otleyshow.org.uk