THE ancient Masham sheep fair is effectively the last sheep show of the season in our part of Yorkshire.

It was re-started a few years ago as a way of raising money for charity by members of the local community. This year, the charities were The Ivy Workshops, Hospice Homecare, and other local charities.

Once again, there was a good programme of events spreading over the weekend of September 30 and October 1.

Saturday was the day when all the commercial breeds of sheep were exhibited in the market square but, in addition to the show, there was a day-long programme of entertainments which had a country theme but had such a widespread range that there was entertainment for every one.

There was a harvest display in the Methodist Chapel and a flower festival in the church and trips around the two breweries, with demonstrations of traditional barrel making on the back of a brewery wagon in the square.

Sheep racing and terrier racing was taking place, and a sheep agility competition added interest for young and old alike whilst. For the more serious, there was an art and craft display in the town hall.

A spinning and weaving demonstration was held in the school with glass blowing and pottery behind the Kings Head. There was also a fleece stall and a shop window competition as well as hand bell ringing in the church. It all added up to a full programme of events which seemed to cater for a wide range of interests.

On the Sunday, it was the turn of the rare breeds of sheep and the goat people to hold their show, which was followed by a sale of rare sheep. All the previous day's events were repeated but, in addition, there was a morning service at chapel and also in the morning the harvest festival service being held at St Mary's Church.

St Mary's Church and the Methodist Chapel had been transformed with some very beautiful displays of flowers and tableaus which depicted 2,000 years of life in Masham, beginning with the yew tree and ending with a display by the present-day children from the local primary school.

This was a wonderful weekend with a wide range of interesting activities which brought many country people together to raise a large amount of money for charity every year.

Perhaps even more importantly, the show seems to generate a great deal of interest in the local community with many people taking part and making it a real success.