Bowes Show promises a great day out

Wendy Short says there will be something for everyone as Teesdale’s agricultural show season begins

SEPTEMBER 9 will mark the 130th Bowes Show, which throughout the years has maintained its reputation as a truly traditional event, with something of interest for all the family.
One of the main attractions, and new for this year is the parade by the Tees Valley Beagles.
There will also be a demonstration by Barnard Castle Dog Agility Club, as well as a packed programme of other events and numerous trade stands and exhibits.
Regular show visitors will notice a change in the show ground layout, which will see the sheep lines moved closer to the entrance and rather more of the equestrian classes located in the “horse box” field, next to the main ring.

Sheep
THE sheep classes are always well-attended and the standard is high, particularly among the popular local breeds and crossbreeds, such as the Swaledale and the Mule.
Other breed classes include Bluefaced Leicester, Texel, Zwartbles, Herdwick and Jacob, with a special class dedicated to any other breed.
The sheep championship has been split into two sections: one for the best local sheep on the field and one for the overall best sheep on the field, with cups awarded to each of the winning animals.
Ever-mindful of the need to inspire and encourage young people to take up farming, the organisers consider the young handlers’ section very important.
There is a class for the best young handler, aged 10 or under, showing either a gimmer lamb or a ram lamb of any breed or crossbreed, along with one for the best young handler aged 10-16 years in the same category.
Once again, the championship has been split into a local and an overall winner.

Commercial Cattle
THERE are five classes for commercial cattle in total this year, with haltered bullocks and heifers shown separately, followed by a competition for haltered calves of any breed, born in 2017.
 The pairs competition can be made up of any combination, with the final class dedicated to cows and their calves.
The winner of the overall championship will be presented with the Bowes Show silver challenge cup and the cattle will be paraded in the main ring.

Horses and Ponies
A WIDE variety of equestrian classes will be held at the show and there is no doubt that younger competitors will be hard at work the evening before their event, to increase their chance of winning the prize for the best turned out and fancy dress competitions.
Other classes include the local riding contest, the child’s first pony and the handy pony. The coloured horse section is of national importance, as it is one of the qualifying events for the Ponies UK summer championship.
The carriage driving competitions are a welcome sight and hotly contested among local horse driving enthusiasts. As well as the private driving class, there is an exercise class and a section for driven donkeys.
Just one of the many highlights for both competitors and spectators is the show drive, which involves a 10km mini-marathon over a marked track, followed by a timed obstacle course in the main ring.

Dog Show
AS always, dogs are welcome on the show ground and anyone who is convinced that they have a pet with prize-winning potential is invited to enter one of the many classes that are put on especially for canines; entries will be taken before 1.45pm on the day.
A blue-blooded pedigree is not required for every section and several ‘fun’ classes have been added to the schedule.
These cover the best small pet and large pet and the best young handler, aged under 16 years.
Your pet can also be put to the test in the dog agility ring, run by the local club.

Industrial and Horticultural
WHILE livestock are a focal point of the Bowes Show, the industrial and horticultural sections attract a large number of entries from Bowes and the surrounding villages and the standard is generally extremely high.
The vegetables will have been carefully cultivated ahead of the event, but entrants need not despair if some of their well-tended plants fail to reach the standard, as a class for an unusual-shaped vegetable has been added to the long list of categories.
Flower arranging is another skill which Bowes residents will have the chance to showcase and the cakes, bread, scones, biscuits and pastries make a mouth-watering sight in the food tent.
Largely made up of entries from the womenfolk, there is nevertheless a special class for men-only, who have been invited to put forward either a cake, or a batch of four home-baked biscuits.
 It is also worth taking time to browse in the marquee which houses the handicrafts and photography section and where even pre-school children have been included; they have been asked to submit a collage of sheep or a painting.
Vintage Machinery
THE tractor show attracts people of all ages and this time there will be three separate classes: pre-1960; 1960 onwards and a section for vintage machines or attachments for use with a tractor.
The proud owner of the champion tractor will receive the P Hughes trophy, to be held for one year.

Admission
ADMISSION to the show costs £5 for adults and £2 for children, with no charge for children under five and free parking.

Organisers
THE Bowes Show is organised by the Bowes Agricultural Society.
It is held at The Parks, Holme Farm, Gilmonby, DL12 9LX, with kind permission from Mr G Guy. The society also holds an annual president’s dinner, which will take place on February 10, 2018, at Jersey Farm, near Barnard Castle.

Enquiries and Judging
BOWES Show general telephone enquiries 01833 628342, website, www.bowes show.org.uk
Judging starts at 9am.

Sponsorship
THE organisers of the Bowes Show and members of the Bowes Agricultural Society would like to express their thanks for all of the support and generous sponsorship received, without which the Show would not be possible.
l Don’t be afraid to embrace change – page 10