COMPETITORS from all parts of Ryedale, Hambleton and Cleveland made Bilsdale's 94th annual show one of the most successful despite the absence of livestock due to DEFRA restrictions.
Chairman Mrs Ruby Garbutt said the recent spate of heavy rain had hit some classes in the flower and vegetable sections but there was keen competition in the classes for horses and ponies and dog sections.
One of the most popular attractions was the demonstrations of birds of prey - a new attraction for the show.
Demonstrations of spinning and weaving using the wool of rare breed sheep from her farm attracted keen interest for Sandie Davison, of Kilburn, who runs a newly-established enterprise, Natural Yarns, with Denise Hewitt, of York.
They produce a wide range of goods using the wool of Ryeland, Romney and rare Welsh breeds, said Mrs Davison, who is also treasurer of the North Yorkshire Smallholders' Association, which was also taking part in the show.
She said the association now has some 300 members and holds its first annual meeting at Kilburn village hall on Saturday at 1pm, followed by a social event at The Forresters Arms in the village.
A surviving Bilsdale plough, for which the village is renowned, was on display at the Bilsdale Study Group's tent. Dating back more than 80 years, it was designed to suit both the farmhand using it with a pair of horses, and the soil he was working, explained member Brian Marsay.
"They were made in Bilsdale at Fangdale Beck, because of the iron ore and coal industry in the area," he added.
The one on display, from a collection, had the initials 'HWA' on the name plate - believed to be Harold William Ainsley, the craftsman who made it for J Wood and Sons who now have businesses at Kirkbymoorside and Driffield. The company's head, Mark Bentley, and his mother, Mrs Emily Long, were this year's joint presidents of the show.
The study group, set up 20 years ago, has produced several books on Bilsdale's rich heritage and history, said the chairman, Don Furness. "There are people living in the area today whose families have been here for many generations," he said.
Updated: 10:46 Wednesday, September 04, 2002
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