Showtime! (despite the foul weather)

Hardy souls braved foul weather to support the 158th Slaley Show yesterday PLENTY braved the miserable weather to attend the Slaley Show yesterday – an annual celebration of rural life and traditions.

This year marked the shows 158th year and, while the sun didn’t come out, no one was in the mood to cancel.

In fact, in the more than a century and a half the show has been held, it has only been cancelled three times because of the weather, most recently in 2011.

Catherine Lincoln, secretary of the organising committee, said: “I’ve been involved with Slaley Show for a few years now, and it’s great to see both familiar and new faces each year.

“We aim to put on a friendly and traditional country show, and hope everyone has a great time.”

The show started in 1849 as a floral and horticultural society, with two types of members – gentlemen, who could not compete in the show if they had a gardener, and amateurs.

Back then, there were just four classes to enter but that began to expand over the years.

Fast forward to 2017 and now the jampacked day features dozens of competitions, with something for all members of the family to get involved in.

Marge Rastall, chairman of the organising committee, said: “We’re pleased to have a packed programme at this year’s show, as well as all the traditional pastimes and crafts that are part of our rural inheritance.

“We had over 2,000 entries in the show’s competitive classes last year, so who knows what number we will get to this year.

“And we are welcoming back the Cumberland & Westmorland wrestlers, who will be competing for two new trophies – the Aird Cup and Shield.”

Among the attractions were birds of prey displays, dog shows and mounted pony games.

Visitors were also treated to music and dance and could get up close to vintage motorcycles and Kirkley Hall’s collection of exotic animals.