Barnard Castle Meet organisers 'blown away' by support

BARNARD Castle Meet has been branded a success despite rain falling on the costume parade.
A major shake up in the way the event was organised this year has also been widely praised.
Changes included a host of free activities at Scar Top free. The traditional music concert moved into local pubs.
Pre-existing events, such as the pet show, saw a swell in numbers.
Meet committee member Shona Robinson said: “The pet show was unbelievably well supported.
“We had more than 80 entries.
“We had tortoises, snakes and three-legged rabbits.
“We had a traditional sports day with hoola hoops and an egg and spoon race and all the children joined in.”
Ms Robinson said the Bounce-a-Mania and Punch and Judy show were well attended.
The Saturday and Sunday of the Whit weekend carnival was blessed with sunshine, but the bank holiday Monday saw the heavens open.
The parade was led by a large contingent of motorcyclists followed by deputy mayor Cllr Roger Peat and the Meet Queen.
Ms Robinson said: “Obviously the weather was inclement but the parade for me was fantastic – everyone pulled out all the stops.
“The children walked all the way in the rain but they all still had smiles on their faces.
“I was blown away by the support of the community. Bring it on for next year.”
She added that cash raised over the weekend had yet to be counted, but people had been incredibly generous.
She paid tribute, in particular, to Des and Leanne Ansty who were heavily involved in arranging some of the
events.
However, she called on more people to get involved in next year’s Meet weekend.
Those interested can contact Ms Robinson on 07947 150569 or call in at Oliver Twist’s Sandwich Bar, on Horsemarket, in Barnard Castle.