A SOUVENIR book has been created to mark the 100th anniversary of Thornton-le-Dale Show. The 2019 Centenary Souvenir Edition has been launched in time to celebrate the centenary show on Wednesday, August 7.

Researched and written by Gena Douglas, Helen Pashby, Sarah Beal, Carol Fitz-Gibbon and Lorraine

Watson, the book contains colour and black and white pictures, including from the Gazette & Herald’s archive.

There is also a foreword by Charles Hill, who was show president in 2011.

In it, he talks about his earliest memories of the show, of helping his father and grandfather organise the rabbit and cavy tent and packing things up at the end of the day.

“When dusk approached, there was, for me, a special atmosphere in the Hall Field,” he remembers. “The lights of the amusements, the sounds from the coconut shy, the cry from the lady ‘try de darts’ and the commentary on the leaping as they tried to finish the rounds before darkness fell.”

He also draws attention to the many charitable causes the show has helped over the years, from local schools to sports pavilions and village halls.

“Events like this do not just happen but take months of work and planning,” he added. “Congratulations to Thornton-le-Dale Show on its 100th year. May this important contribution to village life prosper for many years to come.”

The first show took place in 1907. For the first years, events at the show included athletics, cycle races, pony races and horse leaping.

Many spectators and competitors arrived by train to the station at Thornton Dale, which was only a few minutes’ walk from the field where it was held.

The souvenir book describes these early years, and how the show was paused during the two world wars and an outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease.

It also has sections on each of the categories, from pigs to home baking.

The souvenir also contains some memories of current show chairman, Martin Blythe.

He describes the show as “worthwhile, creative, constructive, and hugely entertaining.”

He adds: “It focuses on the family, and whilst clearly founded on agriculture nevertheless caters for a massive and diverse range of interests.”

Copies of the souvenir book will

be on sale on August 7 in the showground, and also at Wardill Bros

in Thornton-le-Dale, Reeds in Pickering and at the market office in Malton.

They can also be ordered from Gena at show@thorntonledale.com. The cost is £6 or £7.75, including postage and packing.