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NEW FOR 2006
Bowes Show can now boast one of the largest horse entries in the
north shown over 8 arenas.
BOWES AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY SHOW
119th Annual Show on 9th September 2006.
Bowes Show is held each year in the park at
Home Farm, Gilmonby, with the generous support of the farmer
Mr.Gilbert Guy, and his family. Bowes Show has had an image of
being a small sheep show, with an industrial tent and a few
ponies, but in recent years, the show has reflected the national
obsession with all things equestrian. The Horse and Pony section
has expanded with more classes, affiliations, and entries, so
that it is now a major equestrian event in the North of England.
This year Bowes has affiliated with the Veteran Horse Society,
and is offering an Area Qualifying Section in the morning with
classes for in hand and ridden horses and ponies aged 15 and
over. Bowes has been asked, by the Veteran Horse Society, to
stage the Regional Final as well as an Area Qualifier. It will
be possible to come to Bowes and qualify for the Regional Final
in the morning, compete in that in the afternoon, and go home
qualified for the Christmas Show at Olympia. This is quite a
coup for a “small sheep show”.
The Driving Classes have been expanded in recent years. The Show
is delighted to announce that the Bowes Moor Hotel is providing
extremely generous financial backing and is sponsoring the
Driving Section of the 2006 show. This sponsorship will make it
possible to continue to offer the high prize money and beautiful
rosettes, which have encouraged the high standard and volume of
entries over the past two years. This section also benefits from
the support of Dorant 4x4 Motors, who provide the four wheel
drive vehicle, which the chairman drives the judge over the
marathon course, even crossing the river Greta at one point, to
watch competitors on the route. Deepdale Off Road do their bit
too, following the competitors as they drive the carriages over
the course, to offer assistance to anyone who may be in
difficulty. The whole event could not happen at all without the
generosity of landowners Mr. Gilbert Guy and Messrs. Cooper, for
allowing the carriages to cross their farms, and for their help
in laying out the route to be used.
The Driving Classes are all affiliated with the British Driving
Society, though are open to non-members as well as members of
the BDS. The Private Driving Class where entries are often
driven to vintage or antique carriages, and provide an elegant
spectacle, is again included. The Mini-Marathon has become
increasingly popular and well supported in recent years, and has
attracted a very high standard of entrants.
The Dog Show classes and Pet Dog Agility have been enormously
popular in recent years, since entries have only been accepted
on the field, which allows locals and visitors to bring their
dogs for a fun day out.
The Sheep section is always well supported with classes for Blue
Faced Leicesters, Beltex, Jacob, Texels, Mules, and of course
Swaledale Sheep. Bowes Show has after all been known locally as
the “Swaledale Royal” so the standard of Swaledale sheep at the
show will not be equalled anywhere. Barnard Castle Office of the
NFU are sponsoring the Swaledale Shearling Ram Championship, the
most prestigious award in this section. Its trophy is the show’s
logo.
The Industrial and Horticulture Sections are always well
supported with entries from the whole of the North-East. Some of
the finest Walking sticks to be seen anywhere will be found in
the Industrial tent.
Bowes Show has come a long way since the early 1980s when some
committee members donated livestock to be auctioned to raise
money to allow the show to continue. A huge debt is owed to
those people who were so determined that a show as special as
Bowes should continue. The show is still largely supported by
year-round fund raising activities, and a lot of very hard work
by a few dedicated enthusiasts, not to mention support from
local businesses and private individuals. Since 2001, when Foot
and Mouth Disease stopped most shows from taking place, the
climate for small agricultural shows has been difficult. Bowes
has not held cattle classes since 2000, due to the restrictions
which have been imposed, but continues to put on what is always
a traditional Dales Show.
FAO Neil Richardson, North of England Newspapers 27.02.04
Ref: Bowes Show – Equestrian Calendar date – 11th September 2004
Darlington & Stockton Times
As you will be aware, DEFRA movement & bio-security restrictions
are still with us in some form particularly affecting sheep and
cattle exhibitors. However, in 2003 we were able to bring back
our sheep classes, and our new classes and events in all
sections attracted more than ever entries and visitors. This has
confirmed Bowes as having the largest (and, in our opinion, the
best) show of livestock in the area. Following our very
successful show in 2003, we have expanded all sections, created
additional classes, and affiliated all our native breed and show
classes as qualifiers for the Ponies (UK) finals, at
Peterborough 2005. The North of England Dartmoor & Exmoor Show,
held in previous years at Richmond, but on the same day as Bowes
Show, will now be amalgamated with our show. Our carriage
driving section providing well supported show classes and a mini
marathon competition over the surrounding Dale’s countryside has
also been affiliated to the British Driving Association. Over
the years our show has been steadily growing in reputation and
can now proudly provide classes whose size, diversity and
quality of livestock would be a credit to any major show in the
North. We are hoping to continue to expand our 2004 show to
include more new classes with new events, hopefully to include
clay pigeon shooting. The inaugural multi terrain run held in
2003 will be expanded in 2004 and promoted by local fell running
associations. The horses section will benefit from full
affiliation to Ponies (UK) and we are now confident of bringing
back cattle classes to Bowes for 2004. Again we will have the
Horticultural & Industrial, Sheep & Cattle, Dogs, and Horses &
Ponies Sections, as well as the carriage driving marathon &
obstacle course, fell run, dog classes & dog agility, Punch &
Judy, vintage machinery, crafts and trade stands, and numerous
other attractions, for a great day out. The Bar and BBQ will
stay on the show field until early evening (8pm) and of course
we will have another of our popular Duck Races.
Your reporter, Sheila Dixon, has always been a kind and loyal
supporter of our show, for which we are very grateful, and I am
sure that she will verify our show’s importance to the Dales and
indeed to the North of England.
I shall look forward to your comments on due course
Paul Tranter
Head Secretary, Bowes Agricultural Society
BOWES AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY
The Bowes Agricultural Society will ensure as far as is
reasonably practicable the safety and absence of risk to health
of all the Society’s members.
The Society also undertakes its activities in such a way as to
ensure, as far as it is reasonably practicable, that persons
(not the Society’s members) namely officials, stewards,
exhibitors, traders, and members of the public are not thereby
exposed to risks to their safety or health.
The Society will bring to the notice of contractors, exhibitors
and caterers and other participants in events organised by the
society, their duties under the relevant health and safety
legislation in respect of the safety and health of their own
members and members of the public who may be affected by their
activities.
During Bowes Show each steward has a responsibility whilst on
duty to take measures as is deemed reasonable to take necessary
to take, to ensure the safety of all persons on the show ground.
Specialist stewards, i.e. Horse, Cattle, Sheep, Dogs, etc. have
special additional responsibilities within their own sections to
apply their specialist knowledge to minimise risks to safety.
All stewards have the authority to intervene or stop any event,
movement of stock or vehicles, demonstration or display, which
they consider unsafe.
Good safety is basically straightforward. It requires awareness,
common sense and application. If you see something which is
unsafe or somebody doing something which could lead to an
accident then TAKE ACTION.
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY - POLICY STATEMENT
As one of its the activities the Bowes Agricultural Society
seeks to serve the needs of children, promoting their
development. In doing so the Society takes seriously the welfare
of all children who come onto its venues or who are involved it
its activities.
The Society aims to ensure that they are welcomed into a safe,
caring environment with a happy friendly atmosphere.
The Society recognises that it is the responsibility of members
and volunteers, paid or unpaid, to prevent the physical sexual
or emotional abuse of children and to report any abuse
discovered or suspected.
The Society recognises its responsibility to implement maintain
and regularly review procedures, which are designed to prevent
and to be alert to such abuse.
The Society is committed to maintaining good links with the
statutory child care authorities.