THE annual Slaley Show has taken place for 160 years.

The Slaley Show Society will stage this year's show on Saturday, August 13 at Townhead Field in Slaley.

The show has not been held for the past four years.

Heavy rain prevented it taking place in 2019, and Covid restrictions stopped the show taking place in 2020 and 2021.

160 years marks the occasions the show has taken place.

The show has been cancelled 16 times due to weather, war and disease.

Historical records show it started in 1845 as the Slaley and Hexhamshire Floral and Horticultural Society Show.

The first official numbered Slaley Show was a poultry show held on August 21, 1852.

The newspaper of the time, the Newcastle Courant, reported it was 'exciting considerable interest, there being in the immediate neighbourhood a few zealous cultivators of this class of the feathered tribe.'

Reverend Blythe Hurst first arrived in the village in 1850.

As the parish curate, he was instrumental in Slaley Show's future developments, helping it to merge with the Floral and Horticultural Society Show.

Reverend Blythe Hurst stood out as a self-taught blacksmith and biblical linguist from Winlaton.

He became a Doctor of Philosophy and was ordained in 1842, before he left the parish in 1854.

By 1853, both the Slaley and Hexhamshire Floral and Horticultural Society Show, and the Slaley Show, had merged.

They were joined by the village Sunday School Festival also being held on the same day.

By 1870, the show was called the Annual Sunday School Festival and Flower Show.

For this year's Slaley Show, horse riding competitions will be staged throughout the day. 

Alpacas, dogs, and ferrets will compete for prizes.

"We are confident visitors will enjoy this year's show because there is so much to see and do," said Show Chairman, Marge Rastall.

Adult tickets cost £10 and children under 12 have free admission.

Free car parking will be available.