THE NEW chairman of Rosedale Show has pledged to retain its character as a traditional Dales farming event.

After being a member of the committee for 13 years, Sam has taken over the helm, occupied by her mother-in-law, Janet Dring, who held it for 20 years.

Sam, a mother of three, has been crafts section secretary, and with her husband, Alan, organised the trade stands at the show.

She said: “We want to keep it as it has always been, a truly agricultural industry show. It has been the success of the show for 120 years.

“We don’t want to have entertainment displays – the livestock and the exhibits themselves are the show and it’s entertainment.”

Two changes have been decided for this year’s show, to be held on Saturday, August 21 – the introduction of free car parking in neighbouring fields to the showfield, and, for the first time, there will be classes for Texel sheep.

In addition, the terrier events and hound trails are being switched to an adjoining field because of the shortage of space on the main showfield.

“Our aim is to promote the farming industry in Rosedale and the moors,” said Sam. “It is a showcase for the high standard of livestock, especially cattle and sheep, as well as the splendid line-up of decorated heavy horses we get. They are a big attraction and the classes seem to go from strength to strength each year.”

The show, run by a committee of volunteers, is a year in the planning, she said.

While livestock, horse and pony, crafts and cookery classes are buoyant, Sam is keen to attract more entries in the flower, fruit and vegetable classes. “We have good support from the older gardeners, but we need young people to come along. Hopefully with more interest in gardening due to people opting for ‘The Good Life’ we might have more,” she added.

The show also needs more volunteers to prepare it for the big day, and to help clear the fields after the event.

Anyone able to help is asked to phone Sam on 01751 417565 or 07766 020214.