Roll up for the show where the sun is always shining!
They reckon they’re lucky folk in Thornton-le-Dale – and not just because they can call one of the prettiest villages in Yorkshire (if not the whole country) ‘home’.
For they also say that, whatever the weather before and after, they always get a fine day for the village’s annual show.
In that case, then, forget the relentless run of ‘sunshine and showers’ these past couple of weeks and, instead, mark down next Wednesday, August 9, as a day to slap on the sun cream and enjoy what the organisers are proud to claim as the friendliest of Yorkshire’s traditional shows.
This will be the 98th edition of Thornton-le-Dale Show, which combines keenly-contested agricultural, equestrian and handicraft classes with its role as a social event for families, friends and, of course, farmers throughout the area and beyond.
The competitive aspect of the show is illustrated by the fact that there are more than 150 trophies and 450 prizes in total to be won.
There are long-established classes for cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and horses, plus the ever-popular fur and feather section.
Traditional rural crafts not surprisingly figure prominently, with the best shepherds’ crook and walking stick exhibition in the region drawing entries from the top stick dressers in the country.
Those who are pleased with their pastries, jealous of their jam, proud of their patchwork or creative in their craftwork gravitate toward the handicrafts and produce section, while there will be many fine examples of local craft skills on show, too.
There will be all kinds of events in the main show ring, including Jamie Squibb’s freestyle motorcycle stunt show, the Knights of Nottingham jousting display and Joseph Peace with his incredible fire stunts.
An always popular attraction at Thornton-le-Dale Show is the Made in Yorkshire craft marquee, where dozens of exhibitors will have thousands of original gifts and products on sale. To complement all this, the show will once again feature the Deliciously Yorkshire marquee, devoted to the wonderful range of food manufactured and produced in the county.
This is just a necessarily brief look at what’s on offer at the show, where the gates open at 9am and admission is £9 adults, £4 children 5–16, free for under-fives
Find out more about the show at www.thorntonledale.com