HIGHLAND cattle and pygmy goats will be among new attractions at this year’s Rosedale Show on Saturday, one of the most popular traditional events in the Ryedale agricultural calendar.

Set in spectacular countryside, the show, which started 138 years ago, attracts moorland farmers from a wide area of the uplands and hundreds of tourists, many of them booking their holidays in Rosedale to coincide with the show.

Janet Dring, show secretary, said entries in the livestock classes were fantastic, with the innovation of a section for highland cattle proving popular.

She said: “Our entries in the livestock classes in general are the best for years.”

Another fillip for the show is increasing interest in the heavy horses classes, with several new competitors and Clydesdales featuring, as well as shires. Goat entries, too, are well up, with a new section for pygmies, and there will also be a wide range of classes for moorland sheep, one of the key attractions at the show.

There are also new classes in the horticultural part of the show, and a large number of entries in the photographic section, said Janet, while entries in the art classes are also well up.

Another initiative this year is a class for a cake made by a man in the popular home-baking classes.

The show has a number of new sponsors and a host of silverware to be awarded.

“Rosedale’s show is one where people probably only meet once a year, but they come from all over the country – it’s a great show,” said Janet, who added that a crowd of about 5,000 is expected.

Stalls and a large craftworkers marquee, as well as music provided by the Malton White Star Band, will make for what the organisers are confident will be an outstanding day in the show’s long history.