ORGANISERS of a rural show defended a decision to change its date, which now clashes with another show in Northumberland.
The Glendale Show committee, based in Wooler, confirmed that the event will move from its traditional Bank Holiday Monday slot to Saturday, August 29.
This places it in direct conflict with the Bellingham Show, held just an hour away on the same day, and has already led to a decline in equine entries at Bellingham, according to village notes contributor Brian Tilley.
Mr Tilley also raised concerns that trade stand operators who typically attend both shows over the holiday weekend may now lose out.
A spokesperson for the Glendale Show said: "Glendale Agricultural Society announced shortly after the 2025 show that after several years of consultation and discussion with our committee, the decision was taken to move the Glendale Show from Bank Holiday Monday to the last Saturday in August.
"This change was not taken lightly and follows careful consideration of a number of important factors.
"As a non-profit organisation, the increasing costs associated with staging the event on a Bank Holiday have become a significant consideration.
"We also carefully reviewed alternative dates to ensure that any change would not negatively impact smaller local agricultural shows, which remain an important part of our rural community calendar."
The committee also considered trends across the wider agricultural show circuit, with particular attention to livestock and equine competitions.
The spokesperson said: "We support all agricultural societies who fly the flag for British farming, rural businesses and communities. Together we have the same aligned ambitions to showcase and celebrate our way of life and long may that continue.
"Entries in equine classes in particular have been declining at many shows and are especially affected on the Bank Holiday weekend due to clashes with larger horse events, including Scone.
"However, holding our event on the Monday has meant that our neighbours from Scotland have been unable to attend Glendale, whether as visitors, traders or exhibitors.
"The new date provides greater opportunity for these valued participants to come and we believe this change will help ensure the long-term sustainability and success of the Glendale Show, while continuing to support our exhibitors, traders, competitors and visitors.
"We look forward to welcoming everyone to the show on its new date and building on the tradition and community spirit that make the show such a special event."
Share