Tockwith Show switch a success (From York Press)

Tockwith Show switch a success

8:08am Monday 6th August 2012 in News By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter

MOVING Tockwith Show to a Sunday for the first time in its 67-year history proved a big success when it attracted its biggest crowd in many years.

Organisers decided on the move from its traditional Saturday slot because they felt Sunday was now the day most families spent together.

Show chairman Sam Blacker said yesterday: “We are absolutely packed. I have never seen so many people at the show. The traders have been really busy.”

He estimated the attendance figure, boosted by warm sunshine punctuated by a heavy shower, would come to more than 10,000, and said the car park had been full. “We are almost a victim of our own success!”

He said an ecumenical church service, held because of the switch to Sunday, had also been “standing room only”, with about 180 worshippers packed into the marquee yesterday morning.

The service, which was led by the Bishop of Knaresborough, the Right Rev James Bell, a long-time supporter of the show, replaced normal services in the parishes of North Ainsty and Lower Nidderdale.

Mr Blacker said a highlight of the show had been a spectacular display of cycling skills by a team of mountain bike stunt riders, Savage Skills, the freestyle stars of ITV’s talent show Let’s Get Gold. The riders also invited young people to have a go themselves on their bikes.

The show, held at the Tockwith and District Showground on Cattal Moor Lane, also featured gun dogs, and the National Farmers’ Union brought along a roadshow, giving children the chance to learn how to milk a dummy cow.

Some of the children’s competitions were given an Olympic theme Dressage classes were also held for the first time in the show’s history, taking place on the show field on Saturday “The dressage attracted 50 competitors and went well,” said Mr Blacker.