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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.
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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 te 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.
