Secretary’s Show Report

The 91^st Arthington, Bramhope, Pool and District, Horticultural and Agricultural Society’s annual show was held on Sunday 20^th July, on the showfield by the Bridge, in Pool–in–Wharfedale, and attracted record crowds.

By 2 p.m. the car park was full and additional space had to be found on the showfield, a first.

The committee under the Chairmanship of Noel Dykes, worked hard to put on a show that would interest all tastes. This included a large horticultural, produce, arts and crafts and childrens marquee, 5 showrings and a main attraction ring.

Due to the cancellation of a number of shows over the week-end in the area, as a result of waterlogged fields/showgrounds , the show had the benefit of additional last minute entries, which made for a bumper show. The  show site is the envy of many shows in the area, and further afield , as it is very free draining, and whilst tractors were on hand to  tow out any vehicles that got stuck, they were not needed.

Cattle and sheep entries were affected by the recent change in DEFRA’s restriction on the movement of cattle and sheep  due to bluetongue disease, as the showfield is right on the boundry of the surveillance and contamination zones, which were changed just 6 days before the show.

There were a number of attractions to keep the public entertained throughout the day, including gymnastic displays by Aireborough Gymnastic Club, Jorvik Vikings, who put on a battle in the main ring a couple of times, and  camped in a Viking village, with a blacksmith and tablet weaving demonstration.

Knaresborough Accordion and Fiddle Society provided musical entertainment throughout the day.

Yorkshire Sporting Spaniel Club ran a Gun Dog Scurry down by the river.

Very popular was a dog training and demonstration ring run by Tailwaggers Dog Training Club, attracting crowds of 3 and 4 deep round the ring throughout the day.

Uncle Peter’s magic show and Punch & Judy Kiosk, kept the children entertained, they were also able to let off steam in the children’s races.

The childrens pets, fancy dress, and mounted fancy dress are always a popular attraction in the main ring, giving the president Paul Clayton a hard task to find the winners. It was just a pity that at that time it started to rain!!, but within 30 mins the sun came out again.

Keeping to an agricultural/country theme, both Colne Valley Beagles, and Bramham Moor Foxhunt put their packs through their paces in the main ring , and at the end of their demonstration, invited all the children into the ring to meet the hounds.

The Shire horses are always a fantastic spectacle as they parade around the main ring, followed by the driving classes, and finally  a parade of vintage tractors to round off activities in the main ring.