THE sun might not have been shining but the people certainly were at the 136th Ryedale Show.

The event, held at Welburn Park, Kirkbymoorside, yesterday, drew a record number of entries in all categories except for the cattle.

Even though the weather was overcast, Ryedale's farming community still turned out in force.

John Russell, of the Ryedale Lions who were manning the entrance, said "I have no idea on the numbers of people turning up although the way they have been coming in, it looks like this could be a record year."

Holidaymakers Malcolm and Carole Robinson visited the show while on their summer break.

"It is such a big show, I am amazed," said Malcolm, who is staying in Slingsby but comes from Peterborough.

"We thought we would come as it looked like a good day out," added Malcolm.

Pig farmer Richard Horsley, who farms at Acaster Selby, near York, had reason to be happy as his pigs came first and third in the July middle white competition.

He said: "I do all the local shows and Ryedale is my favourite. A really good up and coming show is Thornton-le-Dale which is coming up next week. We will all be there as we all tend to exhibit at the shows together."

Kitty Swinerton had travelled from the Midlands to judge the show ponies.

She said: "Just looking around, this is a great show. It's a real country show, we do not get this in the Midlands, they are not real country people. Out here they are real country people."

Also at the show was the chairman of Ryedale District Council, Councillor David Cussons. Coun Cussons farms at Hagg Farm just a short distance from Welburn Park. He is also show director and had been working since early in the morning to check the event was going smoothly.

He said "I think it's all going very well. We've been blessed with the weather, it's made it so that people can come to the show, if it had been really sunny weather people would have been out harvesting."

Ryedale Conservative MP John Greenway attended with colleagues Malcolm Moss, Conservative agriculture spokesman, and Tory Euro MP Timothy Kirkhope.

Mr Greenway said "I think this show is a big social event but it is also a tribute to the farmers who have had to put up with so much. It's still good to see the commitment they have to this show. The show is absolutely tremendous, it's very good indeed."

Mr Moss explained that some of the difficulties being experienced by farmers were in his belief caused by the weakness of the euro and not the strength of the pound.

He said he had spoken to some farmers at the show who were worried about the whole currency issue and added that the Common Agricultural Policy needed reforming.

PICTURE: Julia Goldie, of Thirsk, with Rosie, the champion British Bleu Du Maine

Picture: Mike Tipping

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