A BRIGHT and breezy day saw a large turn-out for this year’s Farndale Show on the Bank Holiday Monday.

Crowds were drawn to the village of Church Houses high in the North York Moors to see the very best of local livestock, animal displays, a huge array of crafts, flowers, vegetables, baking and much more at the 110th Farndale Agricultural, Horticultural and Industrial Society show.

The cancellation of the Burniston Show, due to be held the same day, owing to a completely waterlogged show site after recent torrential downpours, may have seen a bump in visitor numbers at Farndale, according to the organisers.

Gill Little, the show’s secretary for the second year, said: “We’re very pleased with the turn-out. We’ve been very lucky to stay dry.

“I was sorry to hear that Burniston had to cancel because they’d got waterlogged fields - I certainly think that we’ve got a few people from there come to visit us.”

She said that new things this year included Helmsley’s official town crier David Hinde, who was on hand to introduce events, and a display of trial bikes on a purpose-built structure, which showed off the skill and technical ability of the stunt riders.

“We’ve got the trial bikes in the main ring, which is good,” she said.

“We get a lot of trial bikers coming up to Farndale anyway. We do a charity trial bike up here twice a year, so it’s nice to support them and get them to show off a bit.”

She added that there were “loads” of photography entries this year. “We’ve had 250 entries which is phenomenal. Last year we had 150.”

Mr Hinde, who is a record-breaking town crier, was at the Farndale Show in an official capacity for the first time. He was introducing various events, as well as initiating the tug-of-war.

He said: “It’s fabulous. It’s a wonderful setting isn’t it? There’s lots to do, lots going on and people seem really really interested. So I think we’re going to have a great day here. It’s great to see smiles on peoples faces.”

A new craft tent in the show’s top field sought to showcase the skills of local crafting and artistic talent, including spinning demonstrations by the Commondale wool spinners and art by Nadine Bland.

Elsewhere there was a display of Clydesdale Horses, cattle and tractor parades, a dog show, showjumping and gymkhana, sheep dog trials, a clay pigeon shoot, a tug-of-war and straw bale push, children’s fancy dress, a beagle parade and brass band music by the Bilsdale Silver Band.

Ms Little said her second year as show secretary was “wonderful”.

“It’s much easier and everyone helps out and everyone’s very supportive anyway,” she added, thanking her team, including new treasurers Maggie Stevenson and Jonathan Staton.