All set for Sunday opening

From the Gazette & Herald, first published Thursday 27th Jul 2006.

FEARS that Malton Show could be blighted by the switch from the traditional day of Thursday to Sunday, have been allayed by a big influx of livestock entries and more businesses coming forward to take trade stands.

Charlie Breese, who has this year taken over as chairman of Malton Agricultural Society which runs the show celebrating its 120th anniversary on Sunday in the grounds of Scampston Hall said: "We are delighted with the late response we have had because it means the show is on track for another success.

Sheep class entries are marginally up at 210, while horses entrants currenly total 420 and cattle 43. In addition there is expected to be keen competition in the popular goat classes, and the show will have at least 90 trade stands.

Heavy horses will as always be a big attraction at the show, said Mr Breese.

"Their popularity seems to increase year on year."

Many will have been decorated after hours of painstaking work by the owners who will be travelling to the show from all parts of Yorkshire.

Entries in the dog show are also up on previous years, and keen competition is expected in the sheep dog trials, said Mr Breese who has taken over the helm from Ian Hamilton after six years as a committee member.

"The whole concept in changing the show date to a Sunday is to double the number of visitors from the 3,000 or so in past years and we believe it will be achieved," he said. The show committee believes that a Sunday event will attract more families who will spend the day at the Scampston Hall grounds.

"We couldn't wish for a better venue," said Mr Breese.

The show had to change from a Thursday, he believes, if it is retain its reputation as one of the leading agricultural and rural events in North Yorkshire.

"Farming is changing in Ryedale with fewer farms and this has, over the years, been reflected in the livestock entries. There are fewer young farmers in the area which is a sign of the times. But we are pleased that we have a good number of agricultural trade stands. Farming is still the core of the show but we are trying to widen its appeal to a wider audience."

With an outlay of some £45,000 to stage the show and multi-thousand pound prize money and trophies, the show society is anxious to reverse a trendwhich saw it make a loss of £11,000 in 2004 as a result of a wet show day.

"We have been talking about changing the show day for three years and the time when we had to bite the bullet" said Mr Breese. "We were never going to reverse its fortunes by continuing to have it on a Thursday. Sunday is a family day and given a good sunny day we should have a success on our hands".

A traffic management firm has been hired to help the flow of visitors onto the site.

Attractions at the show include a farmers' market and vintage tractor and machinery exhibits, plus show jumping, terrier racing and fur and feather classes. So many entries have been received from craft exhibitors that a second marquee is having to be provided.

Exhibiting at the show for the first time will be Scarborough Bonsai Society. Spokesman Bill Williams said: "We shall have many species on show as well as giving demonstrations and advice to encourage people to take up this fascinating hobby."

For more information on the society contact Mr Williams on (01944) 759102.

Archive Home