FARMING in Ryedale proved it was as buoyant as ever at yesterday’s big annual show at Welburn Park.

After an early morning shower, sunshine greeted the thousands of visitors from all over the country.

Pat Harrison, who masterminds much of Ryedale Show’s organisation, said: “There’s certainly no sign of a recession here. Farmers have in the past suffered, but they tend to thumb their noses at the situation and live and work through it.”

Demand for trade stands at the 30-acre site was so great that a waiting list of 28 companies was drawn up after the 250 sites were filled.

“I had to end the list because there were still companies wanting to attend even up to Monday afternoon,” said Pat. “Our fears that sponsorship may decline were ill-founded – we had 46 sponsors headed by the Nat West Bank.”

Show director David Cussons said: “Everything has gone well –- entries well up, bumper crowds and very encouraging support from the local Young Farmers’ clubs which augurs well for the show’s future.”

Car parking space everywhere was at a premium.

Coun Keith Knaggs, leader of Ryedale Council said: “The show has further enhanced Ryedale’s reputation as having one of England’s finest one-day shows. It is brilliantly organised. It is marvellous that we are able to support such a big show, and that of Malton. It demonstrates the viability of the rural economy in the district.”

The event attracted many tourists to Ryedale, said district council chairman, Coun Tony Hemesley. He and his wife, Phil, judged the trade stands section at the show, which was won by Ray Chapman Motors.

He said: “The show highlights to the public where their food comes from because Ryedale’s core industry is farming.”

Auctioneer Alan Tate-Smith, the assistant general secretary and assistant show director, who takes over as secretary from Peter Woodall next year, said he planned to step up the show’s involvement in IT.

Horse entries had been done online but he wants to see more use made of IT. “We are running a business and with that in mind we have to embrace technology,” he said.

The value of the show to Ryedale’s economy was an unknown quantity but by virtue of so many traders wanting to take part, and some of the country’s top livestock exhibiting, it was worth a considerable amount. He added: “It brings money into Ryedale as well as raising interest in the district.”

Mr Tate-Smith said it was planned to carry out more drainage work in the fields used for the dog classes to enhance facilities.

The dry summer had taken its toll on farming, however.

“There won’t be any records broken in corn yields and grazing has been hit,” he said.

* Mr Woodall was presented with a garden bench and made an honorary member of the society at the end of the show to mark his retirement after 40 years as general secretary.