Eggleston Show promises a bumper 150th birthday

Eggleston Agricultural Show organisers are pulling out all the stops for their 150th event, including a host of free children’s activities.

Face-painting, bouncy castle, inflatable assault course, Punch and Judy shows, circus workshops, farm school, Zoolab exotic animals and archery will keep kids thrilled, while there is also plenty to keep adults busy too.

Show chairwoman Lynne Oxby said: “We have tried to make it all free for our 150th show.”

Also free to view is a large exhibition, put together with the help of the Fitzhugh Library, which features photographs, newspaper clippings, schedules and other memorabilia from past shows.

Lynne said: “Derek Sims from the Fitzhugh Library has made a map of where the show has been over the years.

“Some of the pictures are amazing showing people in traditional clothes and bonnets.

“There are photos of our president Geoff Wilson and his wife Sue showing sheep at the show before they even met.”

Show secretary Abie Teward added that specialist judges had been chosen for the landmark event, including top Suffolk breeder Lilia Hutchinson and leading Limousin farmer and national judge Adam Watson.

Popular dale farming couple Peter and Gladys Stubbs, who have been involved with the show for more than 60 years, will be judging the egg classes.

This year also sees the return of the poultry classes after being halted for several years because of avian flu.

Eggleston also remains one of the few agricultural shows that also has donkey classes.

This year sees the return of the fell pony classes.

Organisers have confirmed people will have their last chance to see a tractor parade at this year’s event, with new health and safety laws coming into effect from next year preventing the display.

Unique to the event will be sheep racing, the profits from which will go to providing two field nurses who will be providing free blood pressure tests to anyone who wants one.

Other events to look forward to are hourly sheep dog demonstrations, bee-keeping talks by Pamela Chambers of Bee Responsible and Clydesdale horse displays.

Barnard Castle Band will be performing throughout the day.

Abie said there will be a lot to see in the industrial marquee as many of the classes have been “tailored to mark the 150th show.”