Major changes are in store for the 150th Bowes Show later this year.
Not only will the show take place a month earlier than usual, but it is also on a new, bigger and more accessible site. There will also be a focus on providing an affordable good family day out by offering great entertainment for children.
The move to host the show on August 15 instead of the second Saturday in September offers a greater gap between it and Eggleston Show.
Show chairman Keith Ettey said it is better for farmers as well.
He added: “It clashed with all the sheep sales. People couldn’t show because they wanted to sell the sheep the following week.
“A lot of people couldn’t come for that show week because they were getting their sheep ready for the sale the following week.
“You can get bad days in August, but they are longer days and it’s a bit warmer and it will be warmer rain if it is raining.”
Another significant change is the site, which will now take place on fields belonging to the Close family just outside of Bowes village. It offers better access than the single tracks to the previous venue which forced an awkward one way system for people arriving and leaving.
Mr Ettey extended his thanks to Jo Guy, the late Gilbert Guy and Malcolm Wood for allowing the committee to use their fields at Holme Farm for the past 28 years, as well as the owners of the new site, MJ Close & Son as well as their tenants Chris and Harry Tunstall for making their fields available to the committee.
The show will take place over two fields with extra public parking.
The chairman said: “It is a bigger area. We are definitely pleased with the move. It is a big step.”
However, while there is more space and there is a hope it will boost footfall through the gate, the committee are not planning on going “mega-big”.
Mr Ettey said: “We want it to be a nice family show. There will be a free bouncy castle for the kids and things they can go on as well.
“We are really pushing for kids to come and have a really good day, because if the kids have a good day then the parents enjoy it as well.
“We will also have a fun tug ‘o war like we did in the past where they kids have a bit of a pull and mam and dad get involved as well. It’s really good fun.
“It’ll be a great family day out.”
