Wildlife UK Forum - Discuss the UK countryside and wildlife

We went to Bingley Agricultural show in Yorkshire on Sunday. Unfortunately I was on a 15 hours night on Saturday so had to go off nights. As it was raining we rang ahead & it was fine which although it was overcast at first it burned off into a glorious day. We visit about 2-3 Agriculturals per year. On Sunday I got some great pics of birds of prey & some of show-jumping. I really went for the livestock & although the sheep & cattle weren't there we enjoyed the rabbits & poultry but didn't like the cat show or their owners. We are now looking forward to Chatsworth at the end of the month.

I haven't been to a show in a while, Bingley sounds good though. Our local one was ruined this year unfortunately because of foot and mouth but can't complain as it was the right thing to do. I had a look at the pictures of the show you've posted in the gallery and they're great, my favourite has to be the Eagle owl. Fingers crossed for good weather for you at Chatsworth too!

I've always said that if I ever moved abroad, one of the things that I would miss the most would be the agricultural shows. I lose track of the number of ones we go to, from the big ones (like the South of England, the Kent, Surrey and Sussex) to the small local countryside days. I can't think of a better way to spend a sunny summer day than looking at the animals and demonstrations, talking to the exhibitors and watching the craftworkers doing their thing.

Just depends, TimberWolf. We have some lovely ones here in the state of Washington. The big fair, the Puyallup, is a very long affair. It has more animals than you can shake a stick at, sheep herding demonstrations, wool spinning, crafts, draught horse driving competitions, that all-American institution, the rodeo, what's known as the Midway (the tilt-a-wheels and all that), more fried food than you can imagine.

If you go to the Puyallup, though, you can get scones .

Kingfisher

Ah scones, they are something I definitely would miss if I moved abroad!

I have been to the South of England show & Three Counties at Malvern when I was showing the dogs & just found an immense sites to get round. Chatsworth is not that big but what I would call a medium type. The more local ones are great fun as you don't get overwhelmed. I like looking at the vegetables, flowers & anything else of interest. One particular thing which I saw was a walkingstick/shepherds crook competition. I have a collection also but 2 were stolen from our porch unfortunately one was my pride of joy. A shepherds crook made from deer antlers , I have never been able to replace it & if you look at the cost...well what can I say stupid really for leaving in the porch..

I make great scones! So does Mr. Kingfisher .

Kingfisher

There's nothing better than a warm homemade scone with butter and strawberry jam

That's really unfortunate that they were stolen tibber, its sad that you can't leave something like that on your doorstep. The thief must have known their value.

Tibbar, do you have a photograph of the shepherd's crook? If you are clever with things, I've got some antlers lurking around the house (we have found a number of shed antlers--including one from a moose!).

Kingfisher

I am more or less certain that I knew who had taken them as I did recieve a comment weeks later from a boy at my sons school where he stated what I had in the porch which led me to believe that he had been in there with his twin brother. As neither of them were friends of my son they had no reason to come calling but I could not accuse them. They both had behavioural problems & had been in trouble many time before so would think nothing of stealing something. Of course I could not prove it but I think they may have took one each for chopping down the knotweed in the valley like little boys would do. So the crook & a thumb stick could then be discarded lying amongst the knotweed for all I know. I have never found them as it is a large area & you never know someone else may have found them. I think they would not have known the value & if they had taken them for profit they would have taken the lot. Serves me right for trusting in peoples honesty!!
Kingfisher thanks for your offer , unfortunately I don't have a pic. That's an interesting thought though making my own stick, there are workshops on stickmaking, perhaps when I get to retire....
Last year we bought ready-made components from Chatsworth & the boys , skip & I made a thumbstick for my brother-in-law's birthday present.We all enjoyed putting it together after choosing our preferred thumb piece in antler & then a stick which we liked. It made the present feel that bit more personal & special.He was thrilled..

At least the lads did not make off with the whole collection. Well, let me know if you would like some antler sheds! Many of the deer around here have little forked antlers, almost perfect for a thumbstick. I don't remember seeing anything like ready-made components at Chatsworth, but it's a big place!

Back to Agriculturals, though. A few of the local fairs have already been held, but many of them get started around mid-August through to the end of September. I know I will have photos of the big fair, the Puyallup. Whenever I am in the vicinity of a fair, I will try to attend. We went to one state fair, the Tennessee State Fair, a few years ago, and were able to see some of the the 'mule-pulling' contest. That was great fun, something I'd not seen here locally.

Kingfisher

It was announced last week that due to foot & mouth scare our local fair next weekend will not be having any livestock. This will be a great shame as the show is one of the highlights of the summer.

Tibbar - sorry to hear of the theft. Hopefully, no good will come of it to those who took them.

Thanks Timberwolf & Kingfisher for her kind offer once again. It was a while ago when they were stolen but I still sort of get that niggling feeling. When we get the conservatory built I will have my small collection on show knowing they are safe.
Incidentally although there were no cattle, pigs or sheep at Bingley it was still a good show. We came home with loads of lovely cheese. I read somewhere that there will be an economic impact because of farmers not being able to take their aninimals to shows as this generates income. So I will still go & support them.
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Here is my stupid question for the day (you have to remember I'm not in the UK, and I've never gotten to attend an agricultural fair here):

Are there llama/alpaca/vicuna shows, and does the ban affect them, being as they are cloven hoofed mammals?

It's a shame that the shows still aren't to have the cattle, sheep, or swine.

Kingfisher

I'm not sure about that one. However, as our local show usually has llamas and alpacas, I'll be sure to look out for them.

However, if this weather keeps up, the field will only be suitable for ducks and frogs