HALF a century of playing a major part in organising Malton Show has come to an end for Mike Knaggs.

Mike, who during his long association with the prestigious Ryedale event has been chairman and president, started as secretary of his first love of the show – pigeons – which he has been breeding and showing since his youth. It was a job he held, along with the classes for rabbit and other fur animals, for 45 years.

Mike was chairman of the show for 14 years, including the year when Malton had a royal visitor in The Princess Royal. He went on to become president and is now a life member.

His involvement with agricultural shows has included 25 years as a steward of the Great Yorkshire, while his national and international interest in pigeons has seen him become chairman of the British Pigeon Show Society, and twice president of the National Pigeon Association. Mike’s reputation as a pigeon expert has spread worldwide, judging 17 times in the USA, as well as in South Africa, Israel and several European countries.

Throughout his life he has bred clear English long-faced tumbler pigeons – one of the oldest breeds in Britain.

Today he has scaled down his numbers to just 16 pairs because of his work as Malton’s member on North Yorkshire County Council, of which he has been a member for 16 years, and is a past chairman. He is also a member of Malton Town Council.

A keen sportsman, he has been president and chairman of Malton and Norton Rugby Club and chaired the committee which planned the relocation to its plush new ground and pavilion complex in Old Malton Road.

He played wing fullback, initially in the forces while doing his National Service in the RAF, and then for the Malton club.

On the future of agricultural shows generally, he said: “I believe they have a good future, but it’s important that those such as Malton, Ryedale and Driffield, which are in major farming areas, keep their farming role.”

But he concedes it is vital to have a strong main ring attraction such as the motorcycling acrobatic teams, which the Malton Show has had for the past two years.

This year’s Malton Show is on a Sunday, July 19.