It aims to celebrate the finest of agricultural traditions with top class livestock, horse and dog sections and it boasts one of the finest exhibitions of animals anywhere in the UK.
The Annual Nidderdale Show, held in the picturesque surrounds of Bewerley Park, Pateley Bridge, is one of the county’s foremost agricultural shows. It regularly attracts crowds of 20,000 and traditionally marks the end of the agricultural show season.
“Competitors come from far and wide to take part. Because it is at the end of the season, their animals are in prime condition. They may have entered other shows but to win at the Nidderdale Show is the sign of a true champion and we have competitors come from as far away as Derbyshire, South Yorkshire, North Wales and Lancashire.” – Joe Stoney, Show Director 2004.
It takes a whole year to prepare, organise and arrange the Nidderdale Show. As soon as one show is over the preparations begin for the next with stewards meetings, committee meetings, show dinner, schedule committee meetings etc. The physical work for the show starts in earnest at the beginning of September with the erection of the sheep pens and marking out for the tents. The marquees are set up the week before, followed by the arrival of the fun fair on the Thursday prior to show day.
The trade stands will start filtering in on the weekend before and then it is down to briefing the stewards on the Sunday. All should then be ready for a superb show and after all the clearing up the cycle starts again for the next year!
