Lively day of livestock

May 23 2007 By The Evening Chronicle

The Northumberland County Show this bank holiday Monday is the first-in-the-calendar agricultural event in the northern region.

It has become an important testing ground for livestock exhibitors and sets something of a precedent for the rest of the showing season.

The show attracts a wide variety of exhibitors from Yorkshire, Lancashire, County Durham, Cumbria and the Borders as well as Northumberland, and over the past few years has attracted more than 20,000 visitors.

It has also developed in recent years to become a prominent showcase for the best of what rural Northumberland has to offer and encompasses locally produced speciality foodstuffs and many small businesses.

The showfield, at Tynedale Rugby Club in Corbridge, far from being at bursting point, is rejigged and refined every year to accommodate the growing popularity of recent and new additions, like the alpaca and sheep shearing.

All the show sections combine to create a rural visual feast; heavy horses pulling drays alongside elegant side-saddle riders; the gentlemanly yet fiercely competitive Cumberland Wrestling Championship; and the skill and speed of the sheep shearers.

Rabbit noses will be seen next door to glossy feathered pure-breed poultry but safely far enough away from the expert handlers and their dogs!

But the keenest eye belongs to the judges in choosing the best of breeds in the cattle, sheep, goat and alpaca classes as well as the ultimate champion of champions to head the grand parade of livestock around the main arena and the farming highlight of the day.

And when the animals are safely back within their quarters there's lots of main arena entertainment too. Big Pete and his Monster Trucks make their first appearance this year and visitors to the show website have a chance of winning a ride in it by answering a simple question.

Tynedale Agricultural Society members will enjoy much-improved parking facilities this year as well as ringside views within special members-only accommodation.

Membership of Tynedale Agricultural Society is £15 per year. Details on how to join and schedules are now available from secretary Gaynor Shotton, Northumberland County Show office, Hexham Mart, Tynegreen, Hexham NE46 3SG. Call (01434) 604 216 or e-mail info@northcountyshow. co.uk

At a glance

Date: Monday, May 28

Site: Tynedale Rugby Club, Corbridge, Northumberland.

Showground opens 9am.

Admission prices on show gate (cash only) £10, children £2.50, OAPs £6.

10% off advance tickets Online: www.northcountyshow.co.uk Tel: 0870 011 5007