30/10/07
New attractions and plenty of opportunities to get 'hands-on'
ensured the fifth Countryside Live was a great success with visitors.
13 year old Tilly Ireland of York with "Echo",
who took part in the dog agility demonstrations at Countryside
Live over the weekend.
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The two-day celebration of rural life is organised by the Yorkshire
Agricultural Society and was held at the Great Yorkshire Showground
in Harrogate this weekend (27 & 28 October).
In September the decision was taken to cancel livestock classes
because of the movement restrictions, which Honorary Show Director
Bill Cowling said had undoubtedly affected attendance as the event
is traditionally well supported by the farmers. The gate figure
for the two days was 7,417 compared with last year's record breaker
of 9,282.
"We have had a great two days, "said Mr Cowling. "When
we were faced with having to cancel the livestock classes, we could
have taken the decision to cancel the entire event, but we decided
to go ahead, and wave the flag for the farming industry and rural
life.
It is vital, as the centre of agricultural excellence in the North
of England, that we continue to support the industry and provide
a bridge between farmers and their customers, and we very much
hope we will have the livestock back next year."
Competitive classes attracted plenty of entries, with Doncaster
beekeeper Alan Woodward taking the honours in the Honey Show's
Yorkshire Herald Cup. There were also high-quality exhibits in
the Knaresborough Horticultural Society Flower, Fruit and Vegetable
Show - only the second time it had been held outside the town.
Winner of the Lishman Challenge Cup for best chrysanthemum exhibit
was David Greaves of Knaresborough, while the Staveley Challenge
Cup for best exhibit in vegetable classes was Peter Ridsdale of
Kirkby Overblow, near Harrogate. William Barker of Great Broughton,
Thirsk, was Reserve Champion.
In the poultry section, the championship went to Mrs Samantha Berry
of Rectory Farm, of Thornton in Craven, Skipton with a female Birchen,
whilst in the pigeons, Roy Sutcliffe of Keighley showed the Champion
and Reserve Fancy Pigeon whilst Keith and Gill Robson of Darlington
showed the Champion Fancy Flyer.
Country Cool, the fashion show held at Countryside Live for the
first time, proved enormously popular, with crowds flocking to
enjoy each of the three daily catwalk shows which were compèred
by celebrity florist Carl Wilde.
Dog agility demonstrations by members - human and canine - of the
Harrogate Agility Training Society were another new feature, again
drawing plenty of interest as the dogs raced around the specially-designed
obstacle course.
Elsewhere around the event, children enjoyed trying their hand
at bread-making, thatching and colouring, while shoppers browsing
the stalls for early Christmas presents were accompanied by a background
of jazz music.
 Countdown to a Cracking Countryside Live 2007
Fun For All the Family at Countryside Live 2007
Royal Smithfield Christmas Fair Cancelled for 2007
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