Packed line-up of country shows for August Bank Holiday

All are promising bigger and better shows after the past few difficult years with speciality acts in the main rings and grand parades of the best award winning entries.

The 109th Wensleydale Agricultural Society Show is held at the Showfield, Richmond Road, Leyburn on Saturday, August 26.

Organisers say it is still a true Dales agricultural show with classes from livestock to walking sticks, vintage cars and tractors to vegetables and retrained racehorses to eggs. There are more than 650 sheep entered and horticulture is up to more than 600 exhibits, with 100 entries from young people.

A spokesperson said: ”We as a show committee are humbled that people of all generations from far and wide have entered this year’s event and what better way to support them in the 430 classes is there than by coming along to visit the show.

"It offers a great value for money day out, adults are just £10 per person, kids are £5, a bargain in exchange for a full day’s entertainment.

“This year our main ring alone has entertainment from 9am to 5pm, with the highlight a dramatic performance of ‘Celebration of the Horse’ by the incredible Ben Atkinson and his Action Horse Team, in a rare local show appearance. He’s on in the main ring at 11.15am and following the unmissable grand cattle parade at 3.30pm.

“With a long sold out craft marquee and Food from Farming tent, to the many local tradesfolk and businesses with 100-plus stands, there is plenty to wander around and see across the show field.

"It’s a perfect opportunity to chat with friends, catch up with suppliers, make new contacts and simply mingle or shop, maybe even starting a spot of early Christmas shopping for local crafts from the makers and artisan producers.”

Tickets are on sale through the website www.wensleydaleshow.org.uk or on the gate on the day, both cash and card. There is free car parking with entry, and from Leyburn a courtesy shuttle bus will run from the Wensleydale railway station and from the bus stop in Leyburn Market place from 9am to 5pm.

In County Durham, the 153rd WEARDALE SHOW is also being held on Saturday, August 26 at St John’s Chapel in Upper Weardale. Gates open for visitors from 9am with horse, sheep and cattle judging in the morning, exhibitions in the main ring, and many entries in the horticulture, photography, and craft classes. Alpacas will be on display with ferret racing throughout the day. Cooking and wildlife displays are being held with a dog show and gun dog scurry alongside the stone walling competition.

Children are well catered for with most activities on the field free for youngsters, alongside a children’s tent, inflatable zones and a climbing wall, with the Jez Avery stunt show in the main ring and Stanhope Silver Band providing entertainment. Tickets www.weardale-show.co.uk or visitors can pay on the day adults £7 and children £4.

Also in Saturday, is BILSDALE SHOW, the 111th show run by the residents of this North York Moors community. The showfield is two miles past Chop Gate and features a traditional range of agricultural classes alongside local traders and entertainers. Bilsdale Silver Band will be performing with the Old Humpy Band also featuring.

Hounds, fairground games and a climbing wall with archery and axe throwing, paintball and Shetland pony racing will be competing for attention alongside displays by birds of prey and alpacas.

A spokesperson said: “The show is run on a charitable, not-for-profit basis with the aim of promoting and advancing, for the benefit of the public, agriculture, horticulture and rural crafts in all their branches, and each year we make a significant donation to local charities.”

Entrance is £8, concessions £6 and children aged 5 to 16 are £5.

REETH SHOW is held on August Bank Holiday Monday in the dramatic surroundings of Swaledale and gets underway when Reeth Brass Band parade through the village headed by the show committee and judges. It begins when they arrive at the showground at 9.30am sparking off a day of entertainment, agricultural competitions and fun.

One of the major highlights is the Fremington Edge Fell Race which sees competitors young and old scaling the steep neighbouring fellside in the event which is overseen by the Fell Runners Association. There is the added bonus of special prizes for anyone who breaks the existing records.

Alongside the ever-popular horse, sheep and cattle classes are the vintage cars and motorbikes on display. The open dry stone walling competition attracts many keen to test their skills among some of the master builders drawn to the event.

Marquees hold the popular horticulture and craft classes and displays of gifts and crafts. Around the show field are trade stands with gifts from the Dales and around the county offering plenty of opportunity to purchase something original from rural crafts to excellent food. Adults are £10 and children £2.

The 114th FARNDALE SHOW is also on August Bank Holiday Monday. While Farndale is one of the smaller events it is a traditional moorland show which always punches above its weight both in terms of exhibits and visitors. It is held near Rosedale Abbey and Church Houses on the North York Moors.

The show features cattle, sheep, goats, farm produce and stick dressing while the equestrian classes include both ridden and in hand classes as well as a gymkhana.

There is a fur and feather marquee with rabbit, cavies, and pigeons and in the horticultural marquee, flowers, plants and vegetables. The main ring attraction is Philippa Williams with her gun dog display as regularly seen at Crufts, the Ryedale Tug of War competition and a vintage vehicle parade.

There will also be children’s races, including the hobby horse race, fancy dress, and the Commondale wool spinners. Entertainment is provided by Bilsdale Silver band, the Jelly Roll jazz band and Bertzerkaz circus skills. Catering is in both main show fields alongside the Feversham Arms and a flower festival is being staged at St Mary’s Church. Adults £5, children £1, under fives free.