It’s showtime as Otley gets ready (From Wharfedale Observer)

Mixture of traditional and new set to pull in the crowds

9:40am Thursday 17th May 2012 in Local news By Jim Jack

Tradition and TV cameras will dominate the 203rd Otley Show this weekend.

The oldest one-day agricultural show in the country, which regularly attracts 15,000 visitors, will take place at the Bridge End showground on Saturday.

A novelty this year will be the presence of film crews from STV, one of Scotland’s biggest TV channels, filming a pilot episode for a new cooking show, Keep Cooking and Carry On.

Show secretary Janet Raw thinks showgoers will enjoy watching the two chefs in action, and is also excited about a rejig that will see even more attractions based at the popular lakeside area.

She said: “Hopefully everything’s in place now and it’s looking good.

“As usual, classes for cattle, sheep, horses, ponies, goats, poultry, rabbits, dogs, local produce, handicrafts – and more – represent the backbone of the show, and once again we have more than 4,000 entries.

“Our trade stand places have been sold out for five weeks and most of our entries are up on last year, and in the case of cattle, sheep and produce, up by ten per cent.

“We’re really sticking to the same successful formula that’s worked in previous years, but having the STV cameras being there will be new, and we’ll have these two chefs doing different things around the place.

“We’re also moving the poultry and pigeon marquee up to the top of the lake, beside the rabbit marquee, making this area one of the busiest and attractive parts of the showfield.

“With the farriers also working there all day from very early on to the fly-fishing demonstrations and the tug-of-war contest starting at noon, there will be much to see for everyone.”

Other expected highlights will include a gravity-defying motorcycle show from the Inch Perfect Trial Display Team, a birds of prey demonstration, and the dog show.

Organisers Wharfedale Agricultural Society have made donations to two charities, the Elizabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkeys and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, in the run-up to this year’s event.

Society chairman Jeff Crabtree, a chartered surveyor with one of this year’s key show sponsors, Dacre, Son & Hartley, said: “Every year the show creates a huge level of excitement throughout the region, and this time is no different.”

Mr Crabtree is also still keen to hear from anyone interested in helping on the day. He said: “We need volunteers to help manage the dog show and assist with traffic duties.”

Society membership packages, consisting of three show tickets, parking and full access to the members’ marquee, are available for £20 if bought in advance.

Pre-booked tickets cost £7 for adults, £4 for senior citizens, and £1.50 for children.

For more details visit Wharfedale Agricultural Society at 15 Bridge Street, Otley, call (01943)n 462541 or visit www.otleyshow.org.uk