DESPITE the current farming crisis, the highest number of cattle for the past three years was entered into competition at Malham Show on Saturday.

Farmers demonstrated their support for the show in spite of economic turmoil, exhibiting 23 more cows than last year. A brand new Highland section even attracted a good number of entries.

Malham Show chairman Chris Hall put the increase in entries down to the three show championship, where farmers had been encouraged by an appearance fee to enter Gargrave, Malham and Kilnsey shows.

President James Hudson added: "For the last two or three years cattle entries have been declining and so we tried to make an effort to address it.

"Cattle entries have definitely gone up this year. Everyone has made an effort."

In the sheep sections the number of entries were again high, with 19 animals competing in some classes.

Judge Frank Brennand, of Chapel-le-Dale, said: "The standard of Swaledales was really strong to say farming is in such a bad state.

"They really have tried, as it is one of those years when it is hard to make an effort when stock is worth nothing."

John Bradley, of Litton, owner of the champion sheep and champion local sheep, also commented on the good size and standard of the classes.

He had saved his champion Swaledale Shearling Gimmer specifically for Malham Show.

"It won quite a lot as a gimmer lamb and then it was saved for today," he said.

Perhaps the only section in which entries were down was the heavy horses. Nickie Willis, entries secretary for the past three years, said there had only been 12 entries, shown by just five different owners.

Her husband Richard, who was a steward, added: "It is the reality of economics. The last thing they want to do is mess about at a show and take one day off when they have food to put on the tables."

The show had all the usual attractions, but the many visitors, judges and stewards had only one subject on their lips - the weather. For the first time in nine years it was not only dry but warm and sunny.

"I cannot remember a Malham Show quite like this," could be heard from visitors all over the ground, as they wandered around from stall to stall enjoying the sunny day.

In his opening speech, Mr Hall thanked the ministry for the fine weather, commenting: "It is the best day we have had for nine years weather wise and I think there have been more people through the gate."

Secretary Sarah Clay said the attendance was definitely up on last year and that exhibitors and visitors had all seemed to enjoy themselves.

The stars of the show for a lot of visitors had to be the Cheshire Dog Display Team which entertained young and old with a variety of tricks.

A variety of dogs, both large and small, jumped through hoops of fire, ran up and down ramps, across a bridge made up of 20 children and pulled each other around in a cart.

The team, which was displaying for the first time at Malham, was a big hit and attracted large crowds at both its performances.

The show had all its usual stalls, plus one which has become a regular feature at this year's shows - the Rylstone WI calendar girls. Miss January Beryl Bamforth said the shows had been very successful selling venues and she estimated that calendar sales had reached 175,000, all in aid of Leukaemia Research.

The girls extended their thanks to local farmer Chris Hall who had given the ladies a cheque for £60 that day.

Music came courtesy of Stanley Newmarket Colliery Brass Band and the Fresh AM roadshow, and children were kept busy throughout the day with face painting, sports and fairground games.

Anthony Dickinson, of Coniston Cold and judge of the tractors and vintage machinery, summed up the day, commenting: "It is a great little show. People just come for the day out because it is a nice bright day and the show cheers them up."

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