NEW VENUE FOR AN OLD FAVOURITE
The heat is on at North Yorkshire County Show
AN OLD favourite returned in new surroundings as the 39th North Yorkshire County Show made its debut at the Camp Hill estate, home of the Ropner family.
It remains to be seen just what effect the switch from Otterington Hall – which prior to a recent sale was the show’s previous home for 19 years – to its new location near Kirklington, had on visitor numbers, but by early-afternoon the ringsides filled with spectators who enjoyed a packed programme of entertainment in the main ring, which was this year named after one of the show’s most dedicated supporters, the late show commentator Mike Keeble.
Mr Keeble’s family, who operate local business Heck Sausages, had requested the tribute and sponsored the show’s main arena.
Show secretary Alan Andrew said: “Mike was such a nice guy and his was a sad loss. He was one of the best commentators in the North of England.”
Robert Ropner, who owns and runs Camp Hill estate with his wife Jo, said he was delighted to stage this year’s show.
“I’m absolutely so over the moon to be hosting an event like this,” he said. “Given the nature of the political situation and other issues that surround us through the media in our everyday lives, it makes it critical to do something that brings people together.”
A day of scorching heat tested exhibitors. Cattle were watered down after leaving the ring and sheep were sheltered under tarpaulin sheets and umbrellas. The show’s supreme dairy cow was Littlebridge Goldchip Honey, a Holstein shown by Lizzie James of JL Miles and Son, Ellerbeck, and in reserve was an Ayrshire presented by Kit Alderson of South Cowton.
Supreme beef champion was a British Blonde, Lucyland Jellybean, a three-year-old cow with calf at foot, from Lucy Corner of Aycliffe. Second was a Belgian Blue shown by Leighton’s Liam and Mick Rodney and Ben Hardcastle. A Suffolk sheep shown by Cumbria’s Katie Brannen Cumbria won the sheep title, with a homebred Wensleydale hogget from Laura Beaton, 15, of Green Hammerton, in reserve.
A full report is online at www. yorkshirepost.co.uk.