THE late decision to go ahead with a popular agricultural show was rewarded at the weekend.

After heavy rainfall throughout Friday made entry into the showfield tricky, organisers of Bellingham Show faced the dilemma of whether to go ahead or not on Saturday.

The decision to run the event proved a good one, with large visitor and exhibitor numbers supporting the show.

Chairman Colin Anderson said: “It was a little bit of a nightmare on Friday as it rained all day and most of the exhibitors needed to be towed in. Running through the back of my mind was ‘do we cancel or not?’

“We decided not to at the last minute and the way the weather has turned out and the amount of people who have come out to support the show is amazing. The decision to keep going has definitely paid off.”

Visitor numbers through the gate was on par with last year, while entries in the industrial tent were up by 180.

Haltwhistle’s Marion Sloan continued her rich form this year, winning most points in the homebaking categories to add to trophies won at Northumberland County Show, Haltwhistle Carnival, Roman Wall Show, Gilsland Show and Allendale Show in 2019.

The Riders of the Storm horseback stunt team provided plenty of entertainment as the main ring entertainment, and there was lots of interest in the equestrian section, quoits and Cumberland Westmorland wrestling competitions, and harvesting demonstrations.

l See Farming: page 26