THE award-winning Ryedale Show, reputed to be one of the country’s leading one-day agricultural shows, is going from strength to strength, its annual meeting was told.

Retiring chairman John Simpson told a packed meeting at Kirkbymoorside Golf Club: “The quality of stock last year was brilliant. We have a wonderful show ground and already a long waiting list for trade stand spaces.”

And financially too, the show, which dates back 148 years, is financially buoyant.

Mr Simpson said there had been a record of more than 900 entries in the horse classes, though those in the cattle classes had been slightly down due to TB restrictions, but were expected to be back to normal this year.

“We had a record 127 classes,” said Mr Simpson.

Improvements carried out by members of the Ryedale and Pickering Lythe Agricultural Society in the past year had included setting up Facebook and IT services, and providing new toilet facilities.

Tributes were paid to secretary Tom Watson, who stepped down from the role as a result of auctioneers and estate agents Cundalls no longer being involved. The new secretary is Christine Thompson. Mr Watson was elected to the show council.

Peter Woodall, show treasurer, said that from making a profit of just under £74 in 1970, the event had made a profit last year of £8,063. It also made donations of £8,630 to several Ryedale organisations, including Pickering and District Rotary Club, Ryedale Lions, which each received £1,400, while Farming Community Network and Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution were given £2,000, and St Gregory’s Minster, Kirkdale £1,500. Pickering Scouts received £170 for helping to run the show.

Mr Woodall said: “The real challenge to the show is a shortage of space and regulations on such things as security.”

The new president is Freda Cockerill, while Rob Myers was elected chairman, with Rachel Wood vice-chairman. This year’s show council will be Brian Brown, Bernard Simpson, Bernard Dobson, David Taylor, Keith Preston, Paul Dunn, Maurice Pearson, Eric Stead, Valerie Weighell, David and Sheila Mead and Audrey Allen.

This year’s show, on Tuesday, July 28, at Welburn Park, is expected to attract even bigger support because it will host a qualifying round of the National Horse of the Year Show’s Shire horse classes, and private driving, said Elizabeth Cook, the horse section secretary.

“We are absolutely delighted to have been chosen to stage these qualifying rounds which proves just how much prestige Ryedale Show is held in,” she said.

Schedules for the show are due to be available soon and can be obtained from Christine Thompson on 07984 939701.