2021-07-28 |
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Countdown Commences to Much-Anticipated 2021 Kilnsey Show
The countdown is now well and truly on to the 2021 Kilnsey Show & Sports, which will go ahead with a full schedule of show classes, plus multiple attractions, on Tuesday, August 31.
Organisers Upper Wharfedale Agricultural Society unanimously gave the thumbs up to the staging of the annual Yorkshire Dales showpiece at their latest committee meeting late July, when local farmer Robert Lambert, of Mile House, Conistone-with-Kilnsey, was officially installed as show president, taking over from Skipton’s Dr Peter Whitehead.
With famous Kilnsey Crag as the backdrop newly elected Kilnsey Show & Sports president Robert Lambert, left, accepts the handover of the ceremonial shepherd’s crook from outgoing president Dr Peter Whitehead. Show chairman Chris Windle was behind the camera.
Show stalwart Mr Lambert – he was first elected to the committee in 1968, becoming vice-chairman in 1998, then serving as chairman from 2003-2018 – paid tribute to fellow committee members for pulling out all the stops to ensure that this year’s highlight should and must go on, and in a bigger and better format, with the health and safety of all concerned of prime importance.
A host of Covid-safe measures include the creation of more space on the showground for those attending, incorporating a one-way system, an additional show arena for various classes to provide more space for exhibitors, restrictions on the number of people allowed in marquees, additional sanitising facilities, security and stewarding.
It’s action all the way on show day, with over 90 silver cups and trophies up for grabs in the keynote sheep and cattle classes, which offer £17,000 in prize money and will see supreme champions crowned in both. Horses are again to the fore in the ever-popular equine classes to be staged in the central eventing arena.
All the usual produce, horticulture, handicrafts, photography and associated classes will again be on the agenda, including a children’s section, along with dry stone walling, vintage tractors and sheep dog trials. A show schedule giving full details of all classes – entries opened on July 27 and will close on August 17 - is now available online at www.kilnseyshow.co.uk
A long-time favourite, The Sheep Show, is returning, together with Dog and Duck, sheep shearing, birds of prey and gundog demonstrations, plus a local food hall and children’s educational area, cementing the show’s all-round family appeal. Multiple trade stands will again be in attendance.
Later in the afternoon, the sports will take to the field, including the famous Kilnsey Crag fell races, this year supplemented for the first time by a new metric mile handicap open to all ages. As usual, the day will conclude with harness racing heats and a final, with bookmakers in attendance for those fancying a flutter.
For the first time this year, an advance online e-ticket sales facility is being offered, allowing the organisers to determine all-important potential visitor numbers ahead of show day. This, too, went live on July 27 and will run until August 17, with special discounts available as an added incentive for early bookers. Afterwards, tickets will still be available online at the full price, with any remaining tickets to be sold on the gate.
“Under our in-depth Covid-safe policy, it’s first come, first served as far as tickets are concerned. We urge those planning to attend to take full advantage of this new online facility as soon as possible to avoid potential disappointment,” stressed show chairman Chris Windle.
