This years Nidderdale Show proved an outstanding success certainly being one many people will be talking about for weeks to come, especially as it will be televised in Oct/Nov on Channel 4 as part of Kirsty Allsop’s Handmade Britain series.
Kirsty and the team from Channel 4 have been busy filming for the last couple of weeks prior to the show getting specialists local to the area to guide her with her entries for the Nidderdale Show produce competitions. (more…)
The Nidderdale Agricultural Society is looking forward to turning the unfortunate demise of one of it’s trees in to a focal point for the show field. One of the show grounds oldest trees a 90ft oak aged in excess of 270 years, had succumb to disease and needed to be felled. So tree surgeon David Blakey suggested to committee members the idea of contacting a local Yorkshire sculptor and having the tree made in to a lasting feature that could be enjoyed by all for years to come. (more…)
The Nidderdale Agricultural Society is pleased to announce this years special guest will be Dorothy Fairburn, Yorkshire’s regional director of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA).
Dorothy has a lifetime involvement with the farming industry in Yorkshire, beginning life as a farmer’s daughter on the North York Moors, where her brothers still farm, she then went on to graduate from the University of London (Wye College) with a degree in agriculture. (more…)
Last Friday 4th March saw the culmination of events for The Nidderdale Agricultural Society’s 2010 calendar. The annual show dinner held at the Pateley Bridge Memorial Hall hosted 169 guests. The audience was entertained by Guest Speaker Margaret Watkinson and comedian Martin Gold.
Margaret gave an amusing speech about ‘Agriculture and Our Society’ drawing upon her many years of involvement not only with The Nidderdale Show where she was awarded Show Person of the Year in 2000, but with the Young Farmers at Askwith where she farmed with her parents keeping pedigree Suffolks which she regularly showed at Nidderdale Show. Margaret who is well known in farming circles far and wide still shows sheep and has been one of Nidderdale Show’s most consistent exhibitors. (more…)
The Nidderdale Agricultural Society is looking to encourage the involvement of younger people in this years Nidderdale Show. Youngsters are needed not only to assist with the stewarding of classes, but also to take part in the competitions. In particular David Verity Chief Sheep Steward is asking all you budding shepherd’s and shepherdess’s out there to come and join in this years show by entering the junior Shepherd and shepherdess class. There are two classes one for 9yrs or younger and the other for 10-14 year olds, the entrants are each asked to show a lamb and are judged on the presentation and turnout of both the lamb and the handler. So anyone interested in helping or taking part in any classes please contact Show Secretary Susan Monk on 01969 650 129. (more…)
The final event of the Nidderdale Agricultural Society 2009 calendar year was held last week in Pateley Bridge. The show’s annual dinner at the Pateley Bridge Memorial Hall catered for over 160 committee members and guests.This year the society was honoured to have Elizabeth Buchanan, the Prince of Wales former Private Secretary as it’s guest speaker. Elizabeth who spent 10 years as the Princes’ Private Secretary was instrumental in securing his visit to the Nidderdale Show in 2003. Elizabeth has been a regular visitor to the Nidderdale area, her Grandfather lived in Ramsgill, she still has family connections in Ramsgill and friends throughout the dale. Accompanied to the Dinner by her mother also Elizabeth she recalled many memories of the dale, including the stories her mother told her of hacking to the show from Ramsgill on their pit pony. She also recalled flying over the dale on official engagements with the Prince of wales and pointing out the farms and villages, where she knew many of the locals. Guests were delighted to hear that the Prince sent his regards to all connected with the show. (more…)
The Nidderdale Agricultural Society is seeking an Honorary Sponsorship Secretary to succeed Ian Hall who has occupied the post for over 30 years, during which time the society has developed into one of the leading one day shows and celebrated it’s centenary in 1995. Ian who in 1992 became the show President, worked tremendously hard in his role, he also instigated the Competitive Display by Students of Nidderdale High School which ran for many years in the main ring and involved events such as running, biking and horse riding and was instrumental in the initial organisation of the Pateley Pantry food tent. (more…)
At a recent meeting of the Nidderdale Agricultural Society, who organise the Nidderdale Show it was brought to the attention of the committee what a great job the Upper Nidderdale Scout Group does for them on show day.
After 2 years President of the Nidderdale Agricultural Society, David Smith, has stepped down and the position passed on to John Fawcett.
John has been an dedicated committee member for over 38 years. He was approached by the committee following the death of his father in 1971, making him a third generation member as his father and grandfather before him were all active members.
Recently retired John has farmed all his life at Spring House Farm, Burnt Yates, where he was born, running a successful dairy farm, until his retirement in Oct 2008. He has a wealth of experience to bring to his new role including sheep stewarding, 25 years on the Entertainments Committee and 2 years as Chairman from 1991-1992. (more…)
Nidderdale Agricultural Society held it’s annual dinner and cabaret last week at the Pateley Bridge Memorial Hall. Over 160 guests enjoyed a delicious meal including roast beef and yorkshire puddings of course
and were well entertained by After Dinner speaker David Wallace, a countryman from Northumberland famed for his poems and dittys recited in full Northumbrian dialect. Andy Greaves comedian, ventriloquist and singer provided the cabaret with his trusty feathered sidekick Lewis the bird, both of whom had the crowd roaring with laughter.
The Society also chose the evening to honour two lifetime achievers Mr Ian Weatherhead and Mr Stephen Church, who were presented with life membership badges by President David Smith in recognition of their many years of service and dedication to the show. (more…)
