Thursday 26 August 2021

Thursday

 How quickly the week-end comes round.   This week-end is a special one up here in Wensleydale.   At one time - before I came on the scene and persuaded the farmer to take a holiday each year- this August Bank Holiday week-end was the highlight of the year for him and for many other farmers.   Most were dairy farmers so unable to go off for a few days and leave their 'milkers' so tomorrow was the highlight of the year.   'The Wensleydale Show'.   Now the dairy farms are much bigger as the smaller farms have been sold off and bought by farmers and turned into much bigger dairy farms - and even often diversified into other activities.   But the show goes on.   The feed merchants have their tents (we alwas had our lunch at 'our' feed merchants - Jamesons - a small pork pie, a few tasty sandwiches and a piece of home made cake.   And a cup of tea of course.   All served at tables in a tent.  ) Lovely.

Then there would be all the cattle to look round (and later look again to see which ones had won the various cups).   And the sheep - very important up here.   And then there was the Produce Tent (every fruit and veg you can think of) and the flowers and eggs.   And let's not forget the handicraft tent with all the knitting, sewing, painting, childrens' classes - the list is endless.

In addition  there are activities in the ring all afternoon - usually the local hunt does a parade and often heavy horses, so beautiful and yet rarer every year.   All that is needed is perfect weather to make it an afternoon enjoyed by all.

I am not mobile enough to go and haven't been for some years, but I shall hear everything over the tannoy because the Show takes place  near to my bungalow.   The field which will be the Car Park tomorrow is the field just over my garden wall. and the field beyond that is the show field itself.   I am hoping for fine weather for them. Good luck to them all - a lot of hard work goes into this day from both the Committee and the Contestants.


30 comments:

the veg artist said...

Our 3-day show has been reduced to a competitors-only event, so the showing will go on, but no public. It's normally a huge tourist draw and money maker for the stand holders, but the organisers are being very cautious. Hopefully it will be back to normal next year. Enjoy the tannoy - can you get your carer to supply a 'show' lunch?

JayCee said...

The show here was much smaller this year and we didn't go. Hopefully next year it will all be back to business as usual.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

Good to hear that the show's going ahead. I've seen publicity for a couple of shows near here, but I know several have been cancelled or much reduced in scale.

The Feminine Energy said...

You should have a wheelchair, honey. That way someone could push you around to things you want to attend, that you're not able to walk through. There's no shame in that, what the heck. Live your life, sweetheart, no matter what you have to do. ~Andrea xoxoxo

Rachel Phillips said...

I am sure the tannoy will have driven you mad by 6pm. The Royal Norfolk Show has been cancelled for the past two years due to Covid.

Derek Faulkner said...

Some sad that some of these shows are still being cancelled due to Covid and yet 50,000 can go to music festivals. This weekend the Reading music festival looks like attracting huge crowds.
Even bigger shame that somebody can't give you a real treat and take you to the show or give you a bunk up over the garden wall.

Susan said...

This farming show sounds really wonderful. I can see why you have such fond memories of all the times you attended the show with your Farmer. Happy memories. With some planning, next year you should arrange to go to the show.

CharlotteP said...

I second what the Feminine Energy says...get yourself a wheelchair...next year be there in person. If I can find someone to look after my dog, I'll come and push you!

Bovey Belle said...

I have to say, "attending" a show by listening to the tannoy is a bit tame! I hope you can get a wheelchair and go in person next year - I'm sure you could find someone to help you get round.

I hope the weather keeps fine for the show.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thank you for your kind thought about my going to the Show. But I have no desire whatsoever to go without my farmer - the memories would be too sad. As for the tannoy driving me made - one of the advantages (and there are not many) of wearing a hearing aid is that I can switch it off!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Sorry I obviously meant mad not made.

Sue in Suffolk said...

Hopefully the Suffolk Show will happen again next May. A much bigger event and hard surfaced roadways so OK for wheelchairs and buggys. I expect someone would find it difficult pushing a wheelchair over a field. Enjoy it from a distance.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Too right Sue - nobody could push a wheel chair over the field - far too uneven.

Rachel Phillips said...

Lucky you can turn the hearing aid off Weave. Nothing worse than an endless tannoy commentary from a country show ring when you are not part of the proceedings. Would send you insane.

Bonnie said...

I'm happy to hear "The Wensleydale Show" will go on this year. Since it is so close you will probably sense the excitement of it from where you live. Hopefully, you will be able to read all about it in the papers afterward!

Karla said...

Oh, I wish you had one of those fancy electric scooters! They have big wheels and can go over many kinds of terrain - no pushing necessary! What wonderful memories you have!

Mary said...

So the show can go on although I have doubts that’s a good thing at this dangerous time. I think your precious memories are all you need right now dear Pat.
I’ve just posted on having to cancel yet again my trip home to Torquay - just too many if’s and buts to deal with - sad but sensible I guess😢
Mary -

Heather said...

I love a country show. I remember the village I lived in had one every year, obviously quite a small affair - my school friend's father won a prize with his beautiful Shire horses and almost every member of my family volunteered in some capacity to man stalls, tea tent, races, clay pigeon shooting, and any other event which needed someone. Those were the days. Do hope yours has fine weather - I believe the forecast is good.

Brenda said...

I haven't been to a public showing of anything since Covid. I have continued to mask, isolate, distance, and vaccinate. Those who won't do any of these things are making it so difficult. I have had/do have loved ones dealing with Covid because of this. I love your blog. It is one of four in U. K. I am keeping on to read.

Anonymous said...

The Royal Adelaide show next month has been cancelled for the second time now, due to Covid. It is a family tradition to have tea and scones at the Country Women's Association there. You mentioned heavy horses, and my favourite breed of horse is the Clydesdale. These gentle giants are now seen as a 'vulnerable' breed and it was hard to research a friend's request on passing, to contribute something towards Clydesdales. We found one dear boy in far away Queensland in a horse rescue organisation, and we sponsor him on a regular basis.. According to a U.S. Clydesdale protection organisation there are only around 5,000 left in the world.- Pam, Aust.

Anonymous said...

Sorry Pat, friend found the Queensland horse, and this morning I looked up more info, and there is quite a Clysdesdale movement here, and organisations abound - just as well! I guess she gave me the lead for rescue and sponsorship.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Pam - what a lovely idea.
Brenda - pleased to hear you are still taking precautions - we are still doing so here in our little town.
Karla I have been advised by the Physio team not to buy an electric scooter. With the aid of various pieces of equipment I am still able to walk, albeit slowly. IF i had a scooter I would stop walking and that is not good for me.

Thanks friends for your response.

Margie from Toronto said...

The Royal Winter Fair is cancelled here for the second year in a row and I will miss it. It advertises itself as "the country comes to the city" and it is a lot of fun. There are equestrian competitions, all kinds of farm animals on display and in competition and all sorts of booths and displays. It is really interesting to hear the reactions of all the city kids at getting walk amongst the cows and goats & sheep. The first time I took my nephew who was about 4 at the time - he stopped dead as we entered the pavilion and announced very loudly that "it smells like cows in here"! Unfortunately it is held in an indoor exhibition complex so cancelled again.

Would you consider getting a wheelchair so that your son or a friend could take you to this sort of event? It's not even the amount of walking but getting bumped and jostled by the crowd would be difficult. It's a shame to miss it when it's something you clearly enjoyed so much.

Debby said...

Tomorrow will be a day full of reminisces, some happy, some sad, I suppose. I'll be thinking of you.

Margie, I can top that story. My sister was shopping when her son was very small, 3ish, and a man walked into the grocery, obviously fresh from the barn, dirty and exhausted looking, and headed for the dog food aisle. My nephew wrinkled up his nose and said, "Something stinks!" My sister grabbed for him, just as he bellowed, "Hey! Mom! I found what stinks!!!"

She was mortified.

The Furry Gnome said...

We still have Fall Fairs here which are very similar. The big Royal Winter Fair is the biggest of them all, and we took our kids for several years. They once saw a calf being born there.

Cro Magnon said...

When I was small, our County Show was one of the main events of the year. The annual Village Show was also wonderful, but without animals. I miss all that.

Librarian said...

I've been to The Great Yorkshire Show one year in Harrogate and enjoyed it very much, and I believe I would love the Wensleydale Show even more, for it being not quite so huge and a little more "familiar", if that makes sense.
But right now, even if I had somehow miraculously made my way to Yorkshire, I don't think I would want to attend; it just doesn't feel safe to be among so many people, vaccinated or not.
I really admire your attitude, Pat. You loved going there and have precious great memories from those days, but you know yourself well enough to not attempt to go there at all cost.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thank you everyone. I am remindeed that a village near us has a small show every year and for many years the farmer was the judge of the hay, straw and vegetables. He always got a plate of home baking and a cup of tea as a thank you before he left.

Jane from Dorset said...

Our show has expanded to two days to allow more room for everyone. It was great to be back. I bought two bantam pullets and brought them home in the bus!

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