Were you at Emley Show 2011

Huddersfied Examiner – Aug 8 2011

THEY knew it was going to be a good day with queues outside before the gates opened. But the organisers of Emley Show – delighted by another successful weekend – are not going to sit on their laurels. They are already looking ahead and coming up with ways to expand and develop what is now a hugely-popular institution in the region.Many thousands poured into the Factory Farm showground on Saturday, with attendance figures likely to be above last year’s tally of 15,000. And they stayed despite a heavy downpour at lunchtime and early mist and drizzle which obscured all but the bottom sections of the towering TV mast alongside the showground.

Show president Andrew Hughes was delighted. “We are really happy with the way things have gone. I think everyone who has been to the show has enjoyed themselves and we have had some great feedback. “The weather was not great early in the day but people were still queuing outside before the gates opened and they continued coming in well into the day. “Last year was good but I think this was even better. Now we have to look at how we can improve still further. People have told their friends they enjoyed the show and they all want to come next year. “We have already had people asking about trade stands and stalls, and people wanting the same pitch next year. We have some extra land on to which we can expand so the hard work starts now”.

The big attraction for many were the livestock and animal classes, which attracted huge numbers of entries and kept judges busy for several hours. One who was delighted to be back at Emley was cattle breeder Heather Whittaker, who scooped the beef champion title with her impressive Hereford Bull, to add to the title she won at Honley and the second place she got at the Great Yorkshire Show at Harrogate. There is no doubt the beast was a crowd-pleaser, with children staring in silent fascination throughout the day at the giant one-tonne animal tethered in its marquee just inches from their faces. Heather, of Queensbury, said: “The judges look for good confirmation, how its body is shaped, and for good locomotion and he has it all. “The Herefords are very placid, despite his size, although I wouldn’t want to get between a cow and her calf. We respect each other. “He is three years old now and I will hopefully be able to use him to sire progeny for some years to come.”

There were crowds pouring into the marquees to see to poultry and pigeons, rabbits and goats, with many watching quietly as the judges handled the birds and animals, inspecting every inch to pick a winner. Big crowds, too, for the horse sections with the showjumping rings packed late into the afternoon for a variety of classes.

There were also crowds, too, watching a somewhat more intriguing pastime – drystone walling. Twenty contestants from across the country took part in an eight-hour challenge to build a four-foot high section of drystone wall and hundreds stopped to watch the giant jigsaw puzzles taking shape. One of several women competitors was Pam Goodison, of Sheffield, with team-mate Janice Driver. Pam said: “I had always wanted to have a go so I joined a course last September. “It is a very traditional skill and there is so much to learn – and it keeps you fit.” Hardly surprising when the stone to build a one-metre stretch weighs more than one and a quarter tonnes. Ken France, of the West Yorkshire Drystone Walling Association, said: “The competitors have come from as far away as South Wales and Cumbria. “We have got sponsorship for the contest from Lord Savile and it has been a great competition.”

The show’s main arena saw numerous attractions throughout the day. Among the most popular were shows by the Cheshire Dog Display team and the Black Rock Llama Racing Team.

 

Sun’s big boost for Emley show crowds

Huddersfield Examiner – Aug 9 2010

THE sun finally shone on Emley Show. Delighted organisers – and a crowd of many thousands – savoured one of the best shows in years in the shadow of the towering TV mast. The show has suffered in recent years with poor weather, including flooding at their previous Lowfields home. But on their new Factory Farm site on Saturday, everything went to plan and the crowds basked in some warm sunshine as they enjoyed a full day of attractions.

Show president Andrew Hughes was understandably delighted. He said: “We were here on Friday in a downpour, but at last we’ve got the weather. “I have spoken to many people and they have all had a great day. “We try and provide something for everyone and I think it has worked. There are a lot of families who are enjoying their visit and I have spoken to some of the old timers who have come to this new site, watched the attractions in the arena and then turned to see the stunning views. “That’s just one of the reasons it is so special.’’

It was the end of an era for one show stalwart. Emley Show Society chairman Celia Briggs was making her final appearance as an official after 46 years serving both Honley and Emley Shows. “The good weather is just what we wanted and what we needed,’’ she said. “I’m so pleased that so many people are here enjoying a good day out. “I am going to stand down but I’ll still be back next year, enjoying a seat in the members’ enclosure and taking in the day and the view.’’

There were large crowds all day around the main show rings to see the many, varied horse events, while families were busy watching a host of children’s attractions in the main arena, including clowns, a strongman and a falconry display.

As usual, the animal sections were busy. None more so than in the poultry section, a bustling, noisy marquee where hundreds queued up to see the bantams and cockerels puff out their feathers. Section secretaries Peter and Christine Harrison were delighted with the response to their latest trip to Emley. Mrs Harrison said: “The people who live in the towns are fascinated. Many of them, particularly the children, have never been this close to birds before and they really want to know all about them. “They love to see birds like the frizzles, which have their feathers curling outwards, just like a woman who has had a perm. “We do shows from Lands End to John O’Groats, but it is always good to come back to Emley.’’

There was an emotional return for another Emley stalwart.Mrs Elizabeth Wray, 68, of Shelley Woodhouse, admitted there were more than a few tears as she picked up first place for her basket of vegetables in the produce section.  Hardly surprising. Her husband Hedley – who died last October at the age of 80 – had won the title for several years in a row. “When he died I vowed to carry on his work,’’ she said. “I exhibit in the flowers section, but usually advised him on the basket and this year it was my basket in his memory. I shed a tear when they gave me the prize.’’

Back at Emley for a 10th time were the Bourbon Street Roof Raisers. Their foot-tapping brand of Dixieland-style music has always gone down well in West Yorkshire and Saturday was no exception. Band leader Allan Riley said: “We try and play the music that makes people happy. We all come from Greater Manchester and we seem to go down very well here. It’s our version of Dixieland with popular songs that people know.’’

More music came from Emley Brass Band which received a wonderful home-ground reception from large crowds enjoying a cold beer outside the beer tent. Arthur Smithson, of Denby Dale, was at the show with his family and enjoying the music in the sunshine. “I have come to Emley for a good few years and it’s always a great day out,’’ he said. “There is something for everyone with all the animal classes and the trade stands and I’m glad they have got the weather as well this year.’’

Many enjoyed strolling around the showground, picking up bargains from the trade stands, including the Examiner, and filling up on everything from venison burgers to blue cheese and smoked bacon breads.

 

Thousands Attend Emley Show Despite The Rain

Hudersfield Examiner – Aug 3 2009 by Joanne Douglas

THE rain certainly didn’t dampen spirits of the 9,000 people who flocked to Emley Show. Families, animal lovers and visitors attended the annual agricultural show, now in its 91st year. The numbers this year were down because of the weather. The early morning rain cleared for a few hours in the afternoon before it returned again towards the end of the show. Organisers do not yet have an official number count, but they estimate that around 9,000 people, including many families with young children, watched the horse, sheep and dog shows. Among them were tourists from America and Sweden who joined thousands of local families at the showground under the iconic Emley Mast.

Little Lilly Partridge, three, of Linthwaite, was kitted out in her wellies as she looked at the sheep. Her dad Mike and mum Liz, both teachers, said: “We’ve heard so much about shows like this but it’s our first and Lilly has loved it. “Even though we don’t keep animals the breeders have let her get close to them and told her about the sheep which was great.” Marquees housing animals ranged from poultry and hamsters to sheep and horses. David Barber, of Stainland, said: “I don’t show anymore but this was always a good place to come because of the variety of people it attracts. “Emley has always been a great show – it’d take more than a few spots of rain to spoil it.”

But it wasn’t just the animal classes – there was everything from karate to drystone walling to watch. Emley Brass Band got things into full swing by entertaining visitors while the Bourbon Street Jazz Band got people dancing in the mud. Molly Cundy, treasurer of Emley Show, said: “We are a bit disappointed with the weather because it meant numbers were considerably down on what they would have been if it was a sunny day. “The show went ahead and it was wonderful. People put in so much effort and those who did attend enjoyed it I am sure.”