Tag Archives: Leyburn

Wensleydale Show 2011

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Image by RayMorris1 via Flickr

The best country show in Yorkshire!

One of the events I always look forward to is the Wensleydale Show which takes place just outside of Leyburn, North Yorkshireon the Saturday of the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Country Life

For anyone interested in rural life, farming and the countryside there can be no better show to visit. A walk round the numerous stalls, exhibitions and displays is not only interesting but also highly educational.

Vintage Machinery

I am always fascinated by the wonderful displays of vintage farm machinery, tractors, vehicles, tools and particularly the old steam engines. The latter have all been carefully restored and maintained so that they are in full working order.

Food and Drink

For those who enjoy eating there is endless variety. There are lots of quality fast food vans offering burgers, hot dog, chips, tea and coffee.  There are also many stalls selling home-made food, cakes, pies, preserves for those wishing to purchase a treat to take home with them.

Arena Entertainment

There is an ongoing programme of entertainment in the main arena throughout the day. This year featured all the regulars such as the vintage cars, fox hounds from the Bedale Hunt, dog agility, sheep dog displays etc. The main arena is a great place to sit and relax and watch the various acts and displays.

Children’s Entertainment

As usual there was plenty to keep the little ones entertained. There were bouncy castles, a massive inflatable slide, go karts, trampolines, kiddies rides and of course Punch and Judy.

The weather was kind for most of the day although we did get wet later in the afternoon. The photos below give an idea of the many different things to see and do. A great day out, can’t wait for next year.

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Wensleydale Show 2010

The weather was fairly kind at the Wensleydale Show this year. A bit breezy but sunny and warm. There was one terrific down pour of rain at about 2.30pm but it soon cleared up and the sun came out again.  I always enjoy this event as there is so much to see, especially if you are interested in country life. There are displays in the main arena throughout the day and the commentator is very knowledgeable about farming and the countryside which makes everything so much more interesting. There are loads of traders selling all kinds of goods, a fantastic craft marquee, the Leyburn Brass Band, fairground rides and bouncy castles for the kids, farm animals, vintage cars and machinery, beagles, hounds, horses, falconry and lots of food and refreshments. Definitely a great day out for the whole family.

The show takes place on a field just outside of Leyburn on the way in from Bellerby at the side of the A6108. I always like the view as approaching Leyburn from the Richmond side.

Wensleydale Show 2010, view from Bellerby side

Wensleydale Show in the distance.

I was at the show performing Punch and Judy as I have for quite a few years.

Last year was very difficult as I was sited on a very exposed piece of high ground and the winds were extremely strong. I was quite literally hanging on to the puppet theatre during the last show to stop it blowing away even though I was well and truly anchored down. The organisers used to have a marquee for the children’s entertainment but decided on grounds of cost to dispense with this which is a shame because it is always better to be under cover.

I had three brilliant audiences this year. Lots of children and families all gathering round and joining in with gusto to the antics of old red nose. Some nice compliments too. Not so many people turned up for the last show as the rain had dispersed the crowds by then. Still, those who did come seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Behind the scenes at the Wensleydale Show

Behind the scenes of the Punch and Judy Show

There is a huge amount of work required to organise and run an event of this kind. I hope the Wensleydale Show continues to be supported by the general public as it is such a fantastic day out.

Put it in your diary for Bank Holiday Weekend, August 2011. It’s going to be another good one!

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