Glendale Agricultural Society is gearing up for its 119th show on Bank Holiday Monday, with larger entries in the livestock classes and an expected crowd of 15,000. KAREN DENT reports.

A MIX of traditional livestock classes and some more exotic animals will be among the stars of this year’s Glendale Show. The annual event, on the outskirts of Wooler in Northumberland, has introduced a livestock points competition for the first time.

Sheep and cattle will win points for first, second and third placings in their classes with a £250 prize from sponsors Carrs Billington being awarded to the keeper with the highest total at the end of the day.

Show secretary Rachael Smith said: “This has been a good incentive to the local farming community to bring more entries – perhaps it makes the day more competitive – but still there is always a wonderful atmosphere around the livestock pens.”

In addition to sheep, beef and dairy cattle classes, the livestock section will also feature goats.

Michael Aynsley, Champion of Champions judge at Northumberland County Show earlier this year, will be the head judge for the livestock.

The Rothbury-based farmer will be faced with bigger than usual sheep classes, after renewed interest in showing at Glendale from across the Border in Scotland.

The usual farm animals will be joined in the main ring for the livestock parade by some more exotic creatures. Alpacas, which are becoming a more common sight in the region despite being natives to the Andes in South America, will be on show from Barnacre Alpacas at Hartburn near Morpeth.

Clydesdale horses are expected to be a highlight of the parade when they return to Glendale for the first time in decades.

They will be joined by Icelandic horses from Etal. Originally bred by the Vikings, once exported these working ponies are never allowed to return to Iceland as part of efforts to keep the native breed free from disease.

Horses, as ever, are an integral part of the day. The show’s competitive classes kick off with the equestrian section, when the working and ridden hunter judging takes place in the main ring. The College Valley Foxhounds will also be returning for a main arena parade in the afternoon.

Rachael and her team have been working on the showground preparation for around three weeks and will have a huge clear-up operation after Monday’s event.

“As there is no infrastructure at all, we have to bring everything in which takes a lot of time,” she says. “The lads and lasses work extremely hard to make sure this is ready for the day and today we will all be at the field working late ensuring the finishing touches are all done – transforming it from a field to a wonderful showground.

“The trade stands are directed to their pitches, the volume of activity and sounds increases and show day is just about here! I like to get along there and get my hands dirty too – and once all is in place in the office – I like nothing better than giving a hand on the show field and helping to transform a small corner of Northumberland into a busy, fun and exciting day.

“After Monday – and the show is over – the show field has got to be turned back into a cattle field for Lilburn Estates, who kindly allow us to use their field. We hope to achieve this by Thursday or Friday and peace and tranquillity is returned to the cows!

“There will be over 100 volunteers on the show field on Monday – all giving their time to make this Glendale Show bigger and better than the last one and for all their efforts we are always very grateful.”

Although agriculture and rural industries remain at the heart of the event, Glendale will also be the stage for a world record attempt with the 3Sixty Bicycle Display Team.

Members of the six-strong team will attempting a 4.3m drop on a cycle in a bid to beat the current 4m world record. The drop is the equivalent of cycling off the top of a two-storey house.

Monday’s other main ring attractions include a return of the ever-popular Devil's Horsemen team and the Jamie Squibb Motorcycle Stunt Team.

Rachael said: “We have a hugely exciting main ring programme this year. The main ring brings together all the important elements of the day for me – the awards and presentations to our competition winners, long service awards the grand parade of livestock.”

Glendale is also expanding its educational remit this year by introducing a food education area. Children in particular are being targeted with a dedicated Cool Food Dudes area.

“This will add to the huge range of children's activities and are designed to appeal to the young farmers and country lovers of the future,” said Rachael.

“You will be able to make smoothies on the Big Green Smoothie Machine, win on the fruit shy, grind your own flour to make a pancake, or make a work of art you can eat – and they say it's just for the kids!

“The area has workshops and cooking demonstrations on all day for children. There are activities for kids aged two upwards, of all different kinds and is a really fun way of introducing healthy eating to kids.”

The traditional Horticultural & Industrial Show will be a show within a show, featuring hundreds of flowers, vegetables, produce, baking and handicrafts entries.

But its not just old-fashioned skills on show – while there will be classes for hand-baked bread, the event also has classes for loaves produced in the breadmaker.

More than 200 trade stands are due at Glendale, selling everything from food to clothing and tractors, plus a funfair and ‘companion’ dog show.

Rachael said: “The Glendale Show is a huge boost to the local economy: it brings in visitors from across the region, gives local traders and small businesses an opportunity to showcase their local produce and highlights the Glendale area to those who wouldn't normally come here.”

Show president Michael Walton added: “It is a wonderful opportunity to bring together friends from across the region and much further afield and also those visiting for the first time.

“This is a community event bringing together businesses, organisations and individuals from all walks of life. And the show is once again full with entertainment.”

Glendale Show takes place at the Show field, two miles south of Wooler on the A697, on Bank Holiday Monday, August 29. The gates are open from 9am.

There will be over 100 volunteers ... all giving their time to make this show bigger and better