Allendale Show appeals to younger generation

For this year, for the first time, the traditional agricultural event on Saturday, August 15 will be followed by a social evening featuring live music and dancing into the night.

Organisers have decided that the marquee, which houses the industrial section by day, is perfectly placed to be transformed for an after-show celebration.

“There are two reasons for doing it really,” explained Rachel Short, who is one of the secretaries on the show team.

“The first is that we are hoping to make a substantial donation to the Stay Strong Stu fund. There’ll be collection buckets doing the rounds at the show throughout the day, but by approaching some local bands to play some live music, we hope that people will stay around longer to enjoy it, and generate more proceeds at the same time.”

The fund was set up in the name of Wark farmer and Tynedale rugby player, Stuart Ridley, who lost his battle with an inoperable brain tumour on July 14.

And members of the Allendale Show committee have connections to the Ridley family who will be honoured by the fund-raising in brave Stu’s name.

Teams are also being encouraged to enter the traditional tug-of-war and a hay bale rolling competition, either in advance or on the day, which it is hoped will also contribute to the fund-raising.

“Also, we thought a social event after the show would help attract a younger crowd,” said Dani Henderson, who is another of the event’s secretaries.

“And it’s the support of young people that the show needs because the current committee aren’t getting any younger.”

The show has traditionally finished by 6pm after the results of the ever-popular terrier racing and quoits competitions are recorded.

But this year the celebrations, on the show ground at Riding Haughs, will continue until around 10pm.

The emphasis on appealing to a younger audience will continue with the inclusion of special attractions just for children.

Hexham-based Pet Connexions Animal Ark is expected to be a popular addition to this year’s event, with youngsters offered the chance to get up close and personal with an array of weird and wonderful creatures.

The animals include the fur and feather of barn owls, guinea pigs, rabbits and ducklings to the more unusual geckos, frogs and several species of snake.

“Dan from Pet Connexions will really put on a good show for the children,” added Dani. “We‘re hoping it can be a bit of a kids’ corner where the little ones will find something a bit different.”

But the mainstay of the event continues to be the agricultural livestock classes, beginning with the judging of the horse and pony section from 8.30am.

From veteran horse and pony classes to those for young handlers; they‘re all covered in the ridden and turn-out classes, and will be followed by jumping and mounted games.

By 10am, local farmers will be lining up the best sheep from their flocks, to compete for the coveted best in show title. Breeds represented often include Bluefaced Leicester, Blackface, Swaledale and Continental.

In the industrial marquee the best of the area’s bakers, craftsmen and photographers will also be vying for prizes. This always promises an impressive number of entries, with local folk, and youngsters in dedicated children’s classes, hoping to make their mark.

If your terrier is more showing than racing, competitive classes with a Cock of the North qualifier, will also form part of the day.

For displays of two-legged strength, look no further than the Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling competition.

And in the main ring, sheep dog demonstrations by Elaine Hill promise to show the control and accuracy of her canine companions, who love nothing better than rounding up flocks ducks or geese.