COUNTY shows are a popular and enduring part of regional life, a major agricultural and historical tradition.

They are part of the fabric of the community, letting the country display what it does best and has always done. They are a cause of pride to people living in rural areas, and a source of entertainment, fun and education to those who visit from towns and cities.

So any threat to these popular county shows has to be taken seriously - doubly so when the same worries concern any large show, including big events held on York's Knavesmire.

So where does this threat come from? The Government, naturally enough, which is looking into introducing levies of up to £50,000 as part of the overhaul of the licensing system.

The proposals by Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell would apply to public entertainment event with more than 6,000 attending which used temporary accommodation and served alcohol.

Such a stricture would hit, and possibly endanger, all the big events, such as the Great Yorkshire Show and the Ryedale Show, as well as having the potential to badly affect similar events on Knavesmire, including the caravan and cycling shows.

Peter Woodall, general secretary of the Ryedale Show, describes the proposed levy as another Government attack on the countryside. Yet it is more than that, because City of York Council believes the proposals are "horrific" and could hit outdoor events in the city.

This amounts yet another tax on fun - and another threat to long-held tradition.

Updated: 09:46 Friday, January 07, 2005