THE Bowes Show is back, with entries now being accepted for this year’s event which takes place on Saturday, September 11.
After missing last year due to the Covid-19 crisis, members decided in May the show would return to Holme Farm, Gilmonby.
There will be no horse and pony section this year due to the lack of a volunteer secretary for the section.
However, all the other show favourites will be present, including sheep, cattle, dogs and tractors, while there are more than 150 classes in the horticulture tent.
The special attraction for the day will be trials organised by the Northern Sheep Dog Association.
Bowes Show general secretary Liz Redfearn said the trials had originally been planned for last year’s show.
“They got in touch with us out of the blue. It turns out Bowes is right in the middle of their patch.
“Of course last year’s show did not take place, but we kept in touch.
“They will bring the competitors and the sheep will be supplied by local farmers. I did offer my rare breed, but they are a bit wild and they don’t round up like normal sheep,” she joked.
“It will be an actual sheepdog trial and I think it will attract different people to the show this year.
“I think people will find it interesting and it’s the sort of thing you can sit down with a picnic or a pint to watch and enjoy.”
Elsewhere, such has been the increase in interest in Bowes' traditional dog show, two judges have been appointed to cope with the numbers and the section has been split into small and large dog sections with the overall winner receiving a cup dedicated to the late Neville Turner.
Ms Redfearn said it was the intention of organisers to bring back the horses and ponies in 2022.
It had been impossible to recruit a new horse and pony secretary given the short space of time to get this year’s event together after deciding to go ahead in May, she explained.
The show schedule is now available online only either at www.bowesshow.org.uk or from a special show Facebook page – search for “Bowes Show 2021”.
Ms Redfearn said if competitors were struggling to download the schedule, which includes entry forms, they should get in touch and she would print the details for them.
“We have had quite a good number of entries so far – but the more the merrier,” she said. Anyone requiring entry forms can contact Ms Redfearn on 07873 437626. Anyone interested in joining the Bowes Show committee as horse and pony secretary can also contact Ms Redfearn on the same number.
