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'Little Royal' round-up
PROMISE of sunshine later brought out the crowds when Bakewell Show opened for business.
But as show manager Janet Bailey put it: "It's the spirit of Bakewell Show, whether people have to wear flip-flops or wellies they still come knowing they will have a good time."
This year's show comes in the wake of the closure of The Royal Show at Stoneleigh – a casualty of the recession. Despite facing similar economic problems, Bakewell - known affectionately as The Little Royal - has managed to weather the storm: "We're still going strong and this year we celebrate our 179th year," said show director Brian Bakel.
Entries in all classes were mostly up, or the same as last year – with horses hitting a new high.
With some of the Horse of the Year Show qualifiers held on Tuesday afternoon, there was room for increased numbers in most classes. Dartmoor and Exmoor ponies appeared for the first time in a split ring with ex-racehorses.
Star attraction was the Knights of the Damned Medieval jousting team led by TV and film stunt man Justin Pearson, who used to come to the show as a child when he was part of the Mounted Games team.
Other attractions included the return of cookery demonstrations in the food and farming marquee – where visitors were also able to meet former Coronation Street actor Sean Wilson (aka Martin Platt) who has successfully turned his hand to cheesemaking.
Despite only recently developing the business, he won two prizes for his cheese. His range, marketed under the Saddleworth Cheese Company name includes Muldoon's Picnic, How's Yer Father and Shanks' Pony.
A new musical attraction on the village green featured the young people of the Chesterfield-based Directions Theatre Arts company which presented some favourites from West End musicals on a professional stage.
Also on the stage were the popular Storybag Theatre Company from Bradwell who were making their third appearance at Bakewell. They performed a special whodunit written by producer Alison Benefield who came up with a different ending for each performance.
The village green also hosted a number of rural crafts including green wood working and traditional hurdle making.
Among visitors to the show this year were Geoff Smith and John Fleet from New Zealand. Geoff, who takes over as president of his local show two days after he returns home, and John, who is the show organiser, took the chance to see how things are done at Bakewell.
"It's been really interesting," said Geoff: "We wanted to see a typical agricultural show during out visit and Bakewell Show has fitted the bill perfectly."
Also at the show was Ilaria Rigatte, who works for Parco Naturale Adamells Brenta the national park in Italy, who is currently visiting the area.
Photos: Bernard Jones and Paul Robinson
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Weather for Chesterfield
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
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