After months of deliberation, Tynedale Agricultural Society Ltd have announced this week that they will not be running the much loved Northumberland County Show, which was to be held on 31st May 2021.
The Show’s Chairman, Robert Raine, farmer from East Woodburn, explained, “It is with a very heavy heart that we have taken this difficult decision, but with another lockdown in place and no sign of restrictions easing, we felt we could not take the risk to public health and the safety of our volunteers and staff.”
With thousands of volunteers, competitors and traders, this one-day agricultural event welcomes over 26,000 visitors from across the NE region, Cumbria, Yorkshire, Scotland and further afield. Robert continued, “It takes several months of intense work to organise an event of this scale, but with the uncertainty of how long it will take to get back to some form of normality, it is just not possible to run the show this year. We are deeply sorry for the disappointment this will cause, but we are sure everyone understands that protecting our community and visitors is our number one priority.”
The Northumberland County Show has been held in various locations and under different names since the 1830s, and over its one hundred and ninety year history, has only been cancelled a handful of times: during each world war; and for the first Foot and Mouth outbreak. Since 2013, the Show has been held in the beautiful grounds and parkland surrounding Bywell Hall, near Stocksfield, the home of Lord and Lady Allendale and their family. Its proximity to Stocksfield station, good road links and extensive parking and interesting attractions has made it a popular destination for families on the last Bank Holiday in May.
Maintaining a positive outlook, Robert added, “The Queen’s Platimum Jubilee celebrations next year give us the perfect platform to plan for an extra-special Northumberland County Show. In a break with tradition, the Show will be held on Bank Holiday Friday, 3rd June 2022, which is a Bank Holiday. With a two year break behind us, we will all have something very exciting to look forward to and it will be absolutely spectacular!”
