AN agricultural show in Ryedale has launched a souvenir book to mark its 100th event.

The 100th Thornton-le-Dale Show will be held on Wednesday, August 7 and will feature a number of additional events, as well as the book which tells the story of the show since 1907.

Apart from cancellations for the two world wars and outbreaks of foot and mouth, Wednesday Show Day in August has been, for the village, one of the highlights of the year for over a century.

For the first years, events at the show included athletics, cycle races, pony races and horse leaping. Most spectators and competitors arrived by train to the station at Thornton Dale, which was only a few minutes’ walk from the field where it was held. Thornton Dale was one of the stops on the Forge Valley line from Pickering to Scarborough. As the century evolved, changes in agriculture affected the show, but it moved with the times.

The book was launched last week by the Thornton-le-Dale Show and Sports Society. A society spokesman said: “Over the years the show has changed hugely, but one thing which hasn’t changed is its heritage and traditional focus as a village agricultural Show.

“It remains true to its underlying objectives of promoting and improving country trades, crafts and activities but, most of all, it’s a fun and happy show.”

To read more and see the photographs which have been included in the souvenir book, copies will be on sale on August 7 in the showground, and presently on sale at Wardill Bros in Thornton-le-Dale, Reeds in Pickering and at the market office in Malton. They can also be ordered from Gena at show@thorntonledale.com. The cost is £6 or £7.75, including postage and packing.