As this
newsletter is being prepared many places throughout the country are under the influence of
the extremely wet weather giving great cause for concern not only for householders but for
crops, animals, harvesting operations and promoters of outside events. The Royal Show was
a very wet occasion and closed a day early. The Yorkshire Show was fortunate in being held
in quite a good period of weather but other neighbouring shows since have faired much
worse with cancellations being the order of the day in unprecedented numbers. There can be
nothing more demoralising than working hard over the months in making preparations for a
show and then having to cancel due to conditions over which you have no control. We can
only hope that by September the climate will have resumed a little more normality and our
show will be able to make up for all the disappointments of the ‘summer’. The
recent news of the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in the South has also had a sobering
effect on the livestock industry and we can only hope that that this will be contained in
a small area but could still have wide reaching effects on the movement of animals. We
will do all in our power to overcome any difficulties.
This year
we are most fortunate to have a President who knows more about Stokesley Show than anyone
else, having been involved with its organisation for over 50 years. The Show Council was
delighted when Alan Weighell kindly accepted the role of President. The Society is most fortunate to have someone of
his great experience to guide and assist others in the running of the show, and Janette
Hugill, his successor as Secretary, is particularly grateful for Alan’s, and his wife
Helen’s, ever ready assistance and guidance.
Alan
considers it a great personal honour for him to be following in the footsteps of so many
eminent members of the ‘Who’s Who’ in the North East. Lords and Ladies of
the realm, politicians, industrialists and estate owners with names like Sowerby, Pease,
Ropner, Dorman, Dugdale, Normanby, Kitching, Eastwood to mention just a few.
The
Stokesley Agricultural Society presently has a Council of some current 26 Members, 12 of
whom serve on the Management Committee. We
also have 13 Vice-Presidents who provide a wealth of experience and knowledge and some 4
Honorary Members. In order to ensure the
hopefully smooth running of Stokesley Show there are some 170 Stewards looking after the
entrance gates and various sections together with our local Stokesley Veterinary Practice
who oversee the welfare of all the stock on the showfield.
As you
can see from this impressive list the Show relies on many people and I would personally
like to thank each and every one of our willing helpers, and all those who provide a
service without whom the show could not take place.
These
notes would not be complete without reference to Nigel and Pauline Snow following their
retirement from the organisation of the Childrens Section. Through their enthusiasm and
hard work they have been instrumental in giving large numbers of young exhibitors the
thrill of seeing their work exhibited at Stokesley Show. We are delighted to welcome
Amanda Beanland who has kindly agreed to co-ordinate the team.
Derek Welford, Chairman
COMPETITION
– Due to the effects of the bad weather leading to widespread cancellations we have
experienced a high level of interest from exhibitors and look forward with every
confidence to well filled classes throughout the Show. The Cattle Section has additional
classes in the hope of encouraging young herdsmen from the age of twelve years to twenty
six years, for the handling of any dairy breed. The Beef Section also has a new handling
class this year. These handling classes have also been introduced in the Sheep Section
catering for youngsters up to the age of fifteen years. In alternate years the Goat
Section invites a judge from further a field such is the prestige attached to the
competition. This year’s judge comes from Surrey. In the main many of the classes
which take place in the large marquees remain unaltered. Some minor changes can be
detected. The association with the Teesside Rose Society within the Horticultural Marquee
continues offering eighteen specific classes for rose growers. Whilst most of the marquees
are closed for judging between 10am and approximately noon, there are two exceptions. The
Horticultural Trade area where growers put on their large displays and the Rabbit and Cavy
Marquee where spectators are able to watch the judging of the one hundred and fifty two
classes available for competition.
The Schedule of Classes has been sent
out to all exhibitors who have entered over the past two years, requests from new
exhibitors before the closing date of August 29th should be addressed to the
secretary Manor House Farm, Great Busby, Stokesley TS9 7AT (01642713209) or from Stokesley
and Great Ayton Libraries, Armstrong Richardsons or Farmway.
Our brass
band this year is the Fishburn Band from County Durham. November 2005 saw the Band achieve
its best ever result at a contest in winning the prestige title of ‘Scottish Open
Champions 2005’ in Glasgow and in March last year the Band secured a place to
represent the Northern Area at the Brass Band Championships of Great Britain at the Royal
Albert Hall.
The band takes its role within the local community very seriously, and fulfils many of its roles and obligations by assisting local organisations and groups within the area when possible and offers the opportunity for many who would otherwise be denied the chance to do so, get more actively involved and enjoy music to its fullest extent.
The
display will be fast and furious with something for all and gives everyone at Stokesley
Show the chance to experience first hand true Stunt Riding!!!
This is an important feature of the
Show and one that is always full to capacity. We are pleased that we are still getting
participation from the suppliers of large farm machinery who provide a real spectacle to
the majority of our visitors who are unlikely to be major purchasers but nevertheless are
extremely interested in what is required to make the countryside work. A huge range of
other goods and services will be on offer. We continue to have to turn down a large number
of would be trade exhibitors which in turn allow us to have a choice in the range and mix
of trade stands. This year we are privileged to have a stand from the NFU which is giving
a lead in the market place to all farmers and country folk alike.
All the space in the Craft Marquee is
also fully allocated and the fact that there is a waiting list demonstrates the eagerness
that craft workers attach to appearing at the show.
Membership
continues to grow and to ease the peak time congestion in the Members Marquee additional
space is being made available this year. The Council of the Society is greatly encouraged
by this increase in members and will always welcome constructive comments for the
advancement of the Show. Parking facilities remain as before with spaces in the Co-op car
park and then in the field immediately opposite Gate 1 on the bypass road. So that we can
satisfy the ever increasing burdens put on us by the local authorities and hopefully to
keep a step ahead of them we hope to make vehicle movements quicker this year by allowing
the general public free parking. Members catering facilities will again be in the capable
hands of the Dudley Arms of Ingleby Greenhow.
Our
Members are an important and integral part of the Society, providing a financial basis for
the Show and giving much needed support to this important part of the Community. This year we will have exclusive wristbands to
allow entrance to the Show and the Members enclosure, but to ensure that you are
recognised as a Member a badge of honour will be provided for you to wear.
Should
you wish to encourage new members please contact the Membership Secretary: Greg Proll, NFU
Buildings, 23 College Square, Stokesley. Tel:
01642 710218
The
current rates are: Single Member £10 – plus £8 for each adult family member –
Family Membership (2+2) £21
Current senior office holders
President: David Petch
Chairman:
Neal Waters
Vice Chairman:
Secretary:
Janette Hugill, Manor House Farm, Great Busby, Stokesley TS9 7AT Tel: 01642 713209
Treasurer:
Mark Jones
Chairman of Management:
David Moreton
Trade Stands:
John Sharp
Crafts:
John & Ann Fletcher
Marquees:
Jeff Auty
Membership:
Greg Proll
Safety Officer:
secretary@stokesleyshow.fsnet.co.uk
MEMBERSHIP
Stokesley Agricultural Society was formed in 1859 and its principal function is to run the Agricultural Show on the Saturday following the third Thursday on September. The Show Society controls those activities on the Showfield and on its adjoining fields beyond the bypass and has no connection with, or control over, the fair which operates on manorial land over Show Week.
The Society is run by a council elected by members at the A.G.M. which is usually held in March. Besides having the right to elect, or be members of council, membership also gives free admission to the Showground, free parking on the Safeway parking area or immediately next to the Showfield to the East and admittance to the Member's Enclosure on the South side of the Main Ring. There, members have access to the catering facilities of the Member's Tent.
The Society always welcomes new members from the area. Those who visit the Show will realise that it caters for a wide range of interest not only agricultural but horticultural, childrens and other special interest sections and we hope that the Membership and the Council will reflect the whole range of the Show's activities. The Show started as an agricultural show because in 1859 the majority of the people ion the area were involved in agriculture, that is no longer so, and while the Show will maintain, we hope, its agricultural base, it is a Stokesley community society and seeks your support.
The Council of the Society trust you would wish to support the Society by becoming a member and the fees for 2005 are £10 single membership plus £8 for each additional family member of Family Membership £21 (2Adults and 2 Children) Additional Children under 18 years £4 each
Please contact
Greg Prowl, FU Buildings, 23 College Square, Stokesley 01642 710218
Tel / Fax: 01642 713209 - E-mail:secretary@stokesleyshow.fsnet.co.uk
FOR COLLECTING SUBSCRIPTIONS THE SOCIETY HAS IMPLEMENTED A SYSTEM OF DIRECT DEBIT
Please note that Direct Debits are payable annually in March and new members wishing to join for the Show after that date need to make a separate payment
THANK YOU
Stokesley Agricultural Society
Membership Application Form/Subscriptions
Please complete and return this form together with a signed direct debit authority to
Greg Proll, NFU Buildings, 23 College Square, Stokesley 01642 710218
Name………………………………………………………..
Address……………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………..
Post Code……………………….
Telephone Number…………………………………
Type of Subscription
Please tick Subscription
………………….. Individual £10
………………….. Husband and Wife/Partner £18
………………….. Family (2 adults + 2 children) £21
……………………. Additional Adults £8
……………………. Additional children under 18 £4
……………………… Corporate Individual Agreement
Notes
1. If requesting family membership, please include names of everyone and ages of children under 18.
2. Subscriptions will be collected annually by direct debit in early March.
I/We hereby apply for membership of Stokesley Agricultural Society and confirm we will be bound by the rules of the Society.
Signed……………………………………………..
Date………………………………………………..