Crowds flock to Cumberland Show

Last updated 10:49, Sunday, 20 July 2008

Thousands of people packed into Carlisle's Rickerby Park to celebrate the biggest date in Cumbria's agricultural diary.

Show chairman Alan Irving at work on the show field at Rickerby Park

They took advantage of early clear weather to enjoy the annual Cumberland Show.

Judging of the livestock took place in dry conditions - despite weather forecasts for showers throughout the day.

Exhibitors and visitors travelled from far and wide for the showpiece event to see not only the animals on show, but to enjoy the stands, attractions and entertainment on offer.

Meanwhile, Government minister Lord Rooker met farmers in Carlisle on Friday night.

He came to the county early to congratulate local farmers who have raised the profile of agriculture by inviting schools onto their land as part of the Year of Food and Farming.

The Minister for Sustainable Food and Farming and Animal Health presented prizes at the show in Rickerby Park to the school who made the best farmyard model. He also visited the NFU stand to cut a cake marking the union’s 100th anniversary.

Thousands of visitors streamed through the gates for what is the biggest event in the county’s agricultural calendar.

Show chairman Alan Irving said the lush, green site was looking better than it has ever done before a show.

There were 100 acres of entertainment including sheep, cows, pigs, horses and a whole day of fun in the main ring.

Despite fears about the bluetongue disease and rising costs, breeders supported the show in force with 250 cattle and 450 sheep being shown.

There are 1,600 metres of security fencing and crowd control barriers, 80,000 square metres of tent space and five miles of rope used to stage the show.

Highlights this year included the Shetland Pony Grand National in the main ring. Also appearing in the main ring were the Royal Artillery Motorcycle Display Team, terrier racing and Cumbrian young farmers with their own take on One Man and His Dog.

In the Cumberland News pavilion, there was a Hoopers fashion show and a barbecue run by Pioneer meats.

A newly enlarged foodhall featured 30 regional producers including The Cumberland Dairy, A Taste of Greece from Carlisle and The Three Chocolatiers from Penrith.

There was a cheese-making demonstration and celebrity chef Nick Martin shared some of his culinary skills.

Youngsters had the chance to meet every kind of farm animal at the model farm or in exhibition tents.

Hundreds of horses competed in 13 separate rings.

There were 220 trade stands ranging from banks to charities and farm machinery suppliers.

An area was reserved for vintage vehicles, which joined in a grand parade at the end of the day.

Ongoing roadworks in Brampton Road were suspended to allow the free flow of traffic to and from the show.