NEWS 2010
FROM THE PRESIDENT
It is a great honour to be elected its President for this 151st Show and one which I will treasure.
Stokesley Show has been a great part of my life and I don't recall ever missing one. Early recollections are of helping my father with the entries in the Farm Produce and Sheep Sections, it was much later that we started showing Dairy Cattle.
I followed my grandfather and father on to the Council of the Society and it is with great pleasure that this family connection still continues with my daughter Karen serving on the Council who helps to organise the trophies for presentation on Show Day and also my grandson, in his role with Stokesely Young Farmers Club, now on the governing body of the Society.
I have always been keen to see the Show hold its high place in the showing world and have had the privilage of serving the Society mostly in the organisation of the Cattle Section and being its Chief Steward before retirement three years ago.
My experience over a lifetime has been that anybody with a willingness to gain knowledge in whatever field they desire, can do so from written knowledge that the leading lights pass on and the amount of seminars and 'teach-ins' that one is able to attend in the 'open university' of life, whilst also gaining a knowledge in the practical world.
Being a farmer's son, life has always been in the open air and everything was governed by the needs and experiences connected with a mixed farm situated almost at the foot of the Cleveland Hills. For many years we have exhibited our Friesian Cows (Holstein) at the Show with success and it was very pleaseing to see my son, Graham, receive the Championship Cup at last year's show. Barbara and I married in 1958 and took up residence at the farm. My three sons are now carrying on the tradition first started by my father who moved there in 1931.
I feel fortunate to have experienced great changes in farming, from working with horsepower leading quickly to mechanisation - we bought our first tractor in 1939 - and the benfeits this brought to farming.
I see a very positive future for the Society although we are seeing a decline in the number of practical farmers. We are reaping the benefits of a forced retirement from Council at the age of 70 which allows younger replacements who are willing to serve and who offer new views and ideas. (The over 70's become Vice Presidents and their views are still important.)
I look forward to carrying out my duties as best I am able.
Leslie Donaldson
Chairman's Chat
With another Annual Show rapidly approaching, I wish to start with a few words reflecting on the 150th year of our Society and looking forward to this year's event.
What a fabulous year the Society had in 2009. All whom attended thoroughly enjoyed the 150th Anniversary Ball held on the Showfield in June, this was followed by the Annual Show in Septmber when we were honoured to have fifteen of our Past Presidents who joined us for a celebratory luncheon. We were blessed with good weather which brought in the crowds who all enjoyed the many attractions, with show classes very well supported, this resulted in a superb Grand Parade of prize winners in the Hose and Cattle Sections in the Main Ring.
This year we welcome Mr Leslie Donaldson as our President. He has been actively involved with the Annual Show for over 50 years and has attended the Show for as many years as he can remember. Leslie was or Chief Cattle Steward for many years doing a wonderful job; he now enjoys his well earned retirement, with his wife, living in Great Ayton. This year is our 139th Annual Show, and as usual we will have lots of attractions, produce and livestock classes, trade stands, handicrafts and craft stalls to keep everyone entertained.
The local residents of Stokesley and indeed regular visitors to the town, will be very aware of the parking charges which have been introduced in the Showfield car parks. I wish to reiterate that Stokesley Agricultural Society is opposed to these charges. As such, it is my pleasure to inform all members of the decision taken by the Show Council to gift monies received in 2009/10 (from proceeds of the car parking tariff) to Askham Bryan College (new library project) and R.A.B.I. (Royal Agricultural Benevolent Fund). Our President will proudly present cheques to both charities in the Main Ring prior to the Grand Parade on Show Day.
Earlier this year it was my pleasure to hear that Howard Petch , one of our past Presidents and keen supporter of Stokesley Agricultural Society, was this year presented with an award for 'Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture' from the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute and Yorkshire Agricultural Society. I struggled to think of a more worthy recipient of such an award Howard, please accept our congratulations on this award, from all at Stokesley Agricultural Society.
Finally may I personally thank everyone involved with the organisation of this year's Annual Show - Stewards, Judges, Contractors and Volunteers - wothout whom the show would not continue. Hopefully we will enjoy good weather again and provide the public with a great exhibition of country life.
All that remains is to wish everyone a most enjoyable Show Day.
Neal Waters
Notable Dates
Early years - unknown location.
With the purchase of the land in 1955 this gave the society a fixed location.
Sale of land for bypass in 1964 Removal of crow wood 1965 – ‘nasty little wood which would never hold a fox’ (Colonel Kitching).
Moving of the Show Day from Thursday to Saturday 1968 – records show the vote was 20 for and 4 against.
Sale of land to Presto Supermarket in 1993 – this put the Society on a firm financial footing.
The Society remains strong in all areas with a strong membership, excellent depth of sections and volunteers.
We as a society are fortunate to have some good working partnerships with local agricultural companies including Farmway, Armstrong Richardson and of course the NFU mutual – which has extended over many years.
We as members of the Show Council are only custodians of the Stokesley Agricultural Society, moving the Society into the future and ensuring that it is passed on with the stability both financially and show day events in good order. I am confident we will continue to manage the Society through to the next generation and beyond – while we live in changing times both financially and in the world of agriculture - there are as many opportunities as threats and we must grasp the opportunities and maximise them for the good of the society.
We all look forward to a great day on Saturday September 18th 2010.
Neal Waters
