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Hundreds turned out for the 117th show held as usual in front of the grand Eshton Hall, with many taking advantage of the free shuttle service from the village.
Dairy and beef cattle, sheep, heavy horses and showjumping kept everyone entertained. There were also vintage and classic cars, military vehicles and tractors, a live band and plenty of stalls. Members of Craven Neighbourhood Policing Team were also there offering crime prevention advice.
There were so many old cars, which included Rolls Royces, Morris Minors and an old ‘Postman Pat’ Royal Mail van, that organisers struggled to get them all into the main ring for the parade.
Richard and Rosemary Crabtree drove their Rolls Royce 20/25 from Rathmell to the show. Originally owned by Mr Crabtree’s grandfather, Joseph King, a Keighley mill owner who lived at Thorlby, the 1931 Coupe was sold for £4,500 in the 1970s and was shipped to the United States to its new owner, where it stayed until the late 1990s, when Mr Crabtree traced it and brought it back to England.
There was also the dog show, with the prize for the dog the judge would most like to take home going to Dylan, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling retriever. All class winners ended up in the main ring for judging of best in show.
Fell races were as popular as ever. Setting off from the main ring, youngsters and adults took part in age groups on races of different lengths, all of which included crossing a beck, and for the seniors, all the way to the top of Sharphaw. Antonio Cardinale, 72, of Otley AC, took part as he does every year, and came in last, but completed the course. Chris Rose, of Skipton AC, the last vice-chair of Craven District Council before it was abolished at the end of March, was also amongst the runners in the seniors race.
In the crafts and produce tent, Gargrave folk pulled out all the stops with benches packed with baking, preserves, and miniature gardens. There was also a good entry of sticks, floral displays and crafts.
A fine lunch was put on for more than 70 people in the members tent, while there was a good variety of food and refreshments on the show field including pies, burgers and fish and chips.
Jacqueline Ryan from Leeds was there with her two children. “We’ve had a lovely day, the kids have really liked being able to get so close to the sheep and cows.
” There’s some great old cars as well, we loved the Postman Pat van,” she said.
Arthur Mayor said he had come along to see the fell races. “I used to do fell racing when I was younger and wanted to see if it was as popular as it used to be; I was really pleased to see there were a lot in the youngest of the age groups taking part, girls as well as boys, and there was a good turnout out in the senior race.”
Horton-in-Ribblesdale father and daughter, Gavin and Abbey White, had a field day in the North of England Mule Sheep Association (NEMSA) show classes at the show, the highlight of their multiple successes being the supreme champion single Mule gimmer lamb, later crowned reserve interbreed champion.
The Whites, who run Ribblesdale Bluefaced Leicesters, also stood first in two further show classes – the best pen of six Mule gimmer lambs and aged BFL ram with three Mule gimmer lambs.
See results on the Craven Herald website.
On Saturday, it is the turn of Malham Show while on Tuesday (August 29) it will be Kilnsey Show – dubbed the premier agricultural show of the Dales.
Saturday’s Malham Show, held on the showground at the edge of the village, features sheep and cattle, horses and working dogs to music and even axemen displays. Entry is £10 and free for under 16s.
Kilnsey Show traditionally marks the end of the summer in the Dales.
Set under the shadow of the Kilnsey Crag, the diverse selection of trade stands, demonstrations and amusements on the field ensures there is something for everyone.
Kilnsey Show and Sports is home to a spectacular showcase of keenly contested livestock competitions, equine events and sheepdog trials, together with a display of baking, handicrafts, horticulture, and the Crag race.
It ends with exciting harness racing with a last appearance by commentator Peter Deighton, 84, who is bowing out of the show after 50 years.
Entry to Kilnsey Show is £13; £4 for 11-15 year olds, £2 for six to 10 year olds, and free for under six year olds.
