High hopes for kind
weather

This year’s show, which continues today, was the usual hustle and bustle of cattle, poultry and stalls at the Bakewell Showground as the best of British farming was showcased.

Janet Bailey, show manager, said: “We’re hoping for fine weather. We have had a couple of bad years with the weather and it’s cost us.

“It would be nice this year to not have to have straw down or rent tracks. And of course we hope for loads of people to come.”

Janet was appointed manager in 2003, however volunteered at the show for 13 years before hand.

She said she thought it was the variety of the show that attracted people to it year after year.

“We have got some thing for everyone, in particular for children,” Janet continued.

“Where else can you take a child under 16 for free and get a days entertainment in the summer holidays?”

William Cooper is a sheep farmer from Bakewell who has been coming to Bakewell Show for 25 years, working as a sheep steward.

His role involves helping the people that are showing sheep, liaise with the judges and record the winners.

He said: “I think it’s’ important for people to see sheep and livestock and I like the competitive element - I think it improves the standards of the breeds.

“We have got lots of entries this year - probably more than we’ve got penning for.”

Another popular element of the show is the stalls, with businesses from far and wide coming to sell their produce.

Peak Buffalo, based in Eastmoor, is a family-run firm that raises and butchers its own buffalo.

Owner Lisa Melland said: “We’ve got about 450 buffalo and 400 Aberdeen Angus all around the Peak District – we’re tenants of Chatsworth.

“The family breed them and I butcher them.”

Retired county council worker Brian Wood, of Matlock, has been volunteering as a steward at the show for 20 years.

He said over the years he has seen the show change.

“It’s widened its scope, there are a lot more stalls than there were 20 years ago, but there’s still the hard core agricultural aspect,” Brian said.