THE continuing renaissance of all that is homemade and home-grown was in evidence at one of the most fiercely traditional rural shows on the calendar.

For the second year in succession at Rosedale Show, in the heart of the North York Moors, there were record entries in the industrial classes, forcing judges to decide between 1,600 creations ranging from pin cushions to liqueurs.

When judging was completed, the emergence of the sun on the ampitheatre-like showground at Rosedale Abbey and the melodies of the 20-strong Malton White Star Band did not hold back many of the 4,500 visitors from surging in to the industrial marquee to admire the array of creativity.

In the crafts section, there were classes marking the Tour de France’s visit to the county last month and the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, which was also marked with an exhibition by Rosedale History Society, honouring the 120 men from the dale who served in the conflict.

The show’s president, Diane Hughes, a former headteacher of Rosedale Abbey School, said the event’s importance to the area was reflected in the competitiveness of the classes.

She said: “As a teacher, I love the children’s classes. We worked so hard so that every child had something in the show.”

Her husband, Peter, said he was delighted his wife had been given the honorary role, having lived in the dale since the early 1970s.

Jimmy Fawcett, of Sand Hutton, triumphed in the commercial cattle section with his 11-month-old pure limousin heifer, that he bought at Leyburn Auction Mart in March.

Mr Fawcett, whose family have 250 breeding Texel and Beltex ewes and 25 breeding cows on their 400-acre farm, said following the win he planned to challenge with his cattle at Countryside Live and the Nidderdale Show.

While the entries in the sheep section were slightly down on last year, entrants said those who were competing were of a high standard.

In the hotly-contested Masham classes, Mike Allen, who runs a 100-acre lowland farm with 350 ewes at Staithes, scooped the champion title with a shearling gimmer be bought at Bentham Auction Mart last September. He said the breed thrived on the sea air and its tightly-curled coat and good confirmation had also helped it overcome the competition at the Great Yorkshire and Ryedale shows.

After landing the champion Texel title for the second year running, Steven Kirby, of Ainderby Steeple, near Northallerton, scored his fifth interbreed championship of the season with a home-bred shearling ewe.

Mr Kirby said he had scored the successes with four different sheep from his 20 ewes at his family’s 60-acre farm, where they also have a flock of 400 commercial sheep.

He said: “The wins mean a lot when you do it with a home-bred.

“When I’m selecting a sheep to show I look for size, presence and power because that’s what you want with fat lambs, that’s what sells well.

“I also select according to who the judge is, as they tend to look for different things, but it doesn’t always work.”

After sweeping up a host of titles in the goat classes, including best goatling, milker and kid, Sarah Nicholson, who has a smallholding near Ruston, near Scarborough, said she was thrilled her efforts and expense had paid dividends.

She said: “I love looking at my goats and knowing they are the best I can get them.”

Winning both the pre and post-1960 vintage tractor contests with their Turner 40hp diesel and Fordson Super Major, Stephen and Arthur Yeoman said the many hours of cosmetic work had borne fruit.

Ahead of helping to judge the fancy dress on horseback contest, Thirsk and Malton MP Anne McIntosh paid tribute to the efforts of the show’s organisers.

She said: “This sums up rural life in North Yorkshire and shows the confidence there is in the future of farming in the area.”

 

Make it, bake it, and grow it

THE growth of the “make-it, grow-it, bake-it” brigade is helping to secure the future of country events, according to the secretary of Rosedale Show.

Malcolm Leckenby said this year’s entries were up again on last year with about 1,600 in the craft tent alone.

“Overall it was a very good show and the weather stayed fine,” he said.

“General entries were all up and we had 50 entries in the egg section and a similar amount in the sloe gin class.”

Mr Leckenby said he believed television programmes were encouraging people to make and grow their own.

“I think the recession has led to more people doing things for themselves as well and it is reflected in the show,” he said. “It is amazing the amount and quality of entries that we see at the show.”

Mr Leckenby said Rosedale Show also saw entries and visitors from a wide area as well as local people.

“We’ve had people here from Leeds, Halifax and North Shields,” he said.

“Many tend to combine the show with their holiday or just enjoy the day out.”

All the trade stands had been fully booked once again with many traders coming back year after year.

Mr Leckenby said: “The show committee is really grateful to all those who come to the show every year and support it, allowing us to continue holding the event year after year.”