Cumbria's agricultural shows return attracting record crowds

From the clang of metal gates, the wholesome tang of manure to wrestlers in white leggings and the red-jacketed huntsman with his baying hounds, agricultural shows returned after a break of three years due to the pandemic to give a celebration of all that's best in the countryside.

From the north to the south , the rural summer calendar is still packed with livestock classes and horticultural displays, hot sun and dripping mud.

Agriculture is a vital part of the Cumbrian economy, which is hardly surprising given the predominantly rural landscape.

But farming is more than an industry. For many people it is a way of life and in many parts of the county traditional methods of farming are still employed.

Consequently, agricultural shows play an important part in the Cumbrian economy, enabling farmers and traders to come together. As with shows elsewhere in the UK, these have also become important social events.

There are around 20 shows taking place each year in Cumbria and the Lake District of varying sizes.

Whilst livestock judging is a key theme for almost all of these events, all of the shows have something to attract wider audiences, whether it is market stalls, fairground rides, or sports competitions.

Furthermore, most also have competitions in traditional Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling – a quirky sport that dates back to the Viking invasion of the UK.

Weather can play an important part of a show’s economic survival. But in 2020 Covid wiped out the shows' calendar for two years running, causing hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of losses to the rural economy.

It hit everything from larger shows to smaller, one-day events which bring rural communities together. Shows up and down the county were forced to cancel as the virus let rip, starving farming communities of annual chances to meet acquaintances, denying traders a vital market and rural charities of fundraising activities.

But economic impact aside, each agricultural show plays an important part in promoting Cumbria’s rural sector.

Folk who otherwise wouldn’t step foot near a cow, sheep or tractor for the rest of the year get nose to nose with the county’s thriving rural sector. They also provide a hub for the farming and rural community to meet, do business and above all have some time away from the farm.

Thousands flock to these annual events and not only keep them alive but help give a boost to local businesses.

Visitors meet with the farmers who supply their meat, grains or vegetables from their fields just down the road. They help to deepen the connection between farm and fork.

So, it was hardly surprising that those army of volunteers who keep the show calendar alive were keen to return this year.

No more so than the popular Dalston Show, as in 2019 the event was hit by torrential rain and then in 2020 and 2021 organisers were forced to cancel because of the pandemic.

So good weather and high visitor numbers were vital to the show’s continued success.

Nick Utting, who retired after 40 years as secretary, says: ‘ The return of all local shows in 2022 has been hugely welcomed by visitors and exhibitors alike and at Dalston we welcomed record crowds eager to catch up with those whom they had greatly missed during the three-year absence.

"Farmers were once again able to showcase their stock hoping to catch the eye of those looking for a new blood line at the forthcoming autumn sales. Local businesses returned with their trade stands to display the latest farm equipment or to provide hospitality to loyal customers who had supported them over recent years. As with other shows, Dalston is also an outlet for those businesses selling unique foodstuffs or a variety of country crafts. There is little doubt that the enthusiasm for our show remains, whether within the young organising committee or the thousands who returned through the gates. Long may the institution of local agricultural shows remain."

One of the biggest, and one of the oldest, the Cumberland County Show has taken place almost every year since the 1830s and draws thousands of visitors from across the county and beyond.

This year the show moved to a new home on the outskirts of Carlisle at Warwick-on-Eden with something for the whole family from sheepdog trials, ferret displays, birds of prey, a petting zoo, vintage vehicles and craft and trading stalls.

Gillian Potts, the show’s operations development secretary, says: '"It was so lovely to be back this year with the 182nd Cumberland Show, as it seemed like an awful long time since 2019 with the break cos of the pandemic. Times have indeed changed and this is where agriculture and the countryside can come to

offer that sense of normality and continuity which had been missing over these last two years.

"The committee worked very hard behind the scenes in planning the show and the new layout. We had new head stewards, new horse secretary and new treasurer so a lot of changes too. As ever we aimed to showcase the best of livestock, crafts, Home Industries, YFC Tug of War, Vintage section and countryside skills.

"As ever we are indeed indebted to our sponsors, trade stands, farmers and the public who all support our show and proudly promote Cumbria as a great place to live, work or visit. On show day we were blessed with sunshine if a tad windy, in the livestock sheep entries were up, with cattle and horses the same, unfortunately the Home Industries were still suffering from the pandemic with the bulk of the schools not wanting to enter just yet, but we are sure 2023 will be back to normal.

"The crowds came in their thousands to the first agricultural show in the area for 2022 a magnificent showcase of stock, trade stands delighted to have hospitality again, the buzz around the show field was so electric, mind the credit all goes to the dedication of the Cumberland Show committee headed by Chairman Mike Nicholson and Secretary Jill Dunglinson."

From humble beginnings in 1799, making it the oldest of Cumbria’s agricultural shows, the Westmorland Show has grown steadily over the years. It’s one of the most popular, reflected in the 30,000 people who visit the show annually, and in the national vote that saw it come near the top of the UK’s favourite agricultural shows.

This year the annual show put on its two-day event for the second time in its history. Despite rain-filled days the show saw record levels of entries from sheep on its first day, and the attendance was expected to reach up to 30,000.

Organiser, Christine Knipe said support for the show was massive.

With a backdrop of the Cumbrian fells, Hesket Newmarket Show notched up a perfect example of good rural fun that has something for everyone.

Billed as one of the most picturesque events in the summer calendar, the show returned with record entries in all classes.

Show secretary, Mary Brough says: “This year was definitely an improvement from a financial point-of-view. Previous years we did lose money. 2019 was a wet day, and although we always have a good number of visitors, this year, maybe because we hadn’t had a show for three years, people were desperate to get out and enjoy a good family day out.”

Mark Stoddart, Financial Controller for the Yorkshire Agricultural Show echoed the sentiment.

“Agricultural shows are important in raising the profile of farming and rural life” he says.

SEPARATE PANEL: Agricultural shows have a long history in the UK. It is thought that the first show took place in Lancashire in 1768. Whilst early shows were a way of enabling farmers to showcase their livestock ready for market, they developed in the 19th century to become an important date on the rural social calendar. Although much of the focus still remained on the livestock, entertainment was added in the form of sports and competitions. As the shows grew bigger and more popular, traders soon realised that such events provided a captive audience, and market stalls became a feature. In Cumbria the Food and Farming sector which attracts over 45 million visitors annually contributes £900m of economic value to the economy.