A NEW president has been announced to head up next year’s Northumberland County Show.

The committee of Tynedale Agricultural Society welcomed David Carr into the role at their Annual General Meeting in November.

David is a farmer and haulage contractor of Highwood Farm, Hexham, and has been a long-serving member of the organising committee and a well known face in the show’s cattle section through the years.

He succeeds Harry Mole, who has completed his three year tenure in the post.

The full impact of this year’s bad weather on visitor numbers was revealed by show secretary Kerry Robson at the AGM, with disappointing results.

Numbers fell to 23,000 on the day, which is 4,000 down on last year and resulted in in a total loss of over £50,000. The loss was supported by the show’s reserves.

Despite the bad news, the committee looked ahead to next year’s show, with positivity and hope of a sunnier outcome.

The 2020 theme will be ‘Bees and Conservation’, which will see the children’s art competition in the Creative North marquee awash with colour, and drawings of wild flowers and pollinators, with even some live bees on display. The theme will continue in the competitive home crafts tent, and will inspire a range of crafts and baking classes.

In the Youngs RPS sheep section, organisers will host the coveted Zwartbles Sheep Association Championship Show, which hopes to attract new competitors and entries. The J.S. Hubbuck cattle section have promised new classes too, but are keeping details under wraps for now.

Chairman of the show, Robert Raine, said: “The ideas for next year look fantastic and agriculture is at the heart of the show, which is just how it should be. I’ve ordered sunshine, so it’s going to be a good one!”