The annual Masham Sheep Fair will return to the town on Saturday and Sunday.
The fair commemorates Masham’s rich history of sheep farming and is one of the biggest events in the Harrogate district.
Susan Cunliffe-Lister and other volunteers started the sheep fair 30 years ago, initially as a one-off event to raise money for farmers in Africa.
It raised £7,950 and became an annual event, now raising £159,000 for Yorkshire charities.
She wanted to bring back an old tradition. Until the First World War, sheep farmers from across the Dales used to come to Masham each year to buy and sell as many as 80,000 sheep over the course of a few days.
Nowadays sheep farmers from across the UK come to Masham to compete. There are other events like sheepdog trials, tours of Theakstons and Black Sheep breweries, morris dancing, fleece stalls and even sheep racing to keep the crowds entertained.
Read more:
The schedule for the fair is below:
Saturday:
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10.00 – Town Hall & School exhibitions open
10.00 – Harvest display & refreshments in Methodist Chapel 10.45 – Judging of Sheep Show commences 10.45 – Flower Festival opens in St. Mary’s Church 11.30 – Sheep Show on trailer in front of Town Hall 12.00 – Trips around Theakston’s & Black Sheep Breweries start 12.00 – Sheep racing in field beyond churchyard 12.30 – Sheepdog demonstrations in field beyond churchyard 13.00 – Judging of Supreme Champion in Sheep Show 13.45 – Bishop Blaize procession from Maple Creek to the Square 14.00 – Sheep Show on trailer in front of Town Hall 14.30 – Sheep racing over the sticks 15.00 – Sheepdog demonstration in field beyond churchyard 15.00 – Handbell ringing in Church 15.30 – Sheep Show on trailer in front of Town Hall |
Sunday:
10.00 – Town Hall & School exhibitions open
10.30 – Morning Service in Methodist Chapel
10.45 – Harvest Festival Thanksgiving Service at St. Mary’s Church
10.45 – Judging of Sheep Show commences
11.30 – Sheep Show on trailer in front of Town Hall
12.00 – Flower Festival opens in St. Mary’s Church
12.00 – Trips around Theakston’s & Black Sheep Breweries start
12.00 – Sheep racing in field beyond churchyard
12.00 – Refreshments start at Methodist Church
12.30 – Sheepdog demonstrations in field beyond churchyard
13.00 – Judging of Supreme Champion in Sheep Show
13.45 – Bishop Blaize procession from Maple Creek to the Square
14.00 – Sheep Show on trailer in front of Town Hall
14.30 – Sheep racing over the sticks
15.00 – Sheepdog demonstration in field beyond churchyard
15.00 – Handbell ringing in Church
15.30 – Sheep Show on trailer in front of Town Hall
18.30 – Songs of Praise service in Methodist Chapel
Harrogate’s Isaac Smith is hoping for a career as a professional touring car racer after a successful season so far.
Mr Smith, 20, finished second in the latest round of the Touring Car Championship UK at Brands Hatch in Kent last weekend, hitting speeds of up to 135mph.
He’s currently second overall in the championship after three of seven meetings. He’s also leading the Tom Walker Trophy for newcomers.
Touring car racing features heavily modified road cars. It is considered much fairer than Formula One because the engine capabilities of the cars taking part are far more even, making it more of a test of driving skill.
Encouraged by his petrolhead father Mike, Mr Smith, from Blubberhouses, started racing go-karts at the age of 10.
He moved to senior racing when he was 17 and hopes to become a full-time professional.
Isaac Smith
He aims to race on the European circuit and then compete in the World Touring Car Championships.
Asked what he enjoys about the sport, he said:
“There’s nothing else that gives me a kick like racing. It’s always a battle out there.”
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Knaresborough poised for first Bed Race in three years
Excitement is building for the first Knaresborough Bed Race since 2019.
The historic event on Saturday afternoon will see teams take part in a 2.4 mile course through the town in fancy dress, pushing a bed, before finishing with a wade through the River Nidd.
As many as 30,000 people line the streets for the event which is due to return on June 11. Since the first in 1966 the tradition has been picked up across the world with similar events being held in USA, Germany and New Zealand.
This year’s competitors have based their costume and bed design on the theme ‘The Environment: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’.
Nigel Perry, secretary at Knaresborough Lions, the volunteer group that organises the event, said he has enjoyed seeing teams practicing this week ahead of the big day.
He said:
“Taking part in the Bed Race takes fortitude. The streets of Knaresborough are full of teams practicing.
“The town will be packed on the day.”
Newly elected Liberal Democrat Knaresborough county councillor Matt Walker added:
“It’s great to see the beds back practicing the course through the town and the infamous water crossing . The crowds are in for a real treat as the beds are pushed through the town for the parade.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how the teams have interpreted this year’s theme of recycle, reuse and reduce. It’s really opportunity to show off Knaresborough at its best to thousands of locals and visitors. Reminding people what make it a special place to live, work and visit.”
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The Lions have organised park and ride facilities on Manse Lane (Knaresborough Technology Park) and Grimbalds Crag (ALM) on Bed Race day where a free Transdev bus service will take visitors to and from the town.
Knaresborough’s pubs, cafes and restaurants will also be looking forward to Saturday, which is traditionally their busiest day of the year for trade.
Mr Perry added:
“The Bed Race is good for them and good for the town.”
There has been a lot of rainfall this week but Mr Perry said the Nidd will be safe for competitors to wade through.
The race will start at 3pm from Conyngham Hall but a whole day of events are planned including a best-dressed bed competition and a parade through the town.
Click here to read the full programme.
We’ll be running a live blog on the day, would you like to send a good luck message to anyone competing? Email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will publish your message.
Tributes paid to self-made businessman and philanthropist Sir Robert OgdenSir Robert Ogden, the self-made businessman and philanthropist who opened a cancer centre at Harrogate District Hospital, has died aged 86.
Sir Robert made his fortune in the mining, quarrying and building industries and donated to charities, in particular those connected to cancer care.
He was also a leading racehorse owner and co-owned See More Business, which won the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park.
Born in Wibsey, Bradford, in January 1936, Sir Robert was the eldest of six children. His father Albert was a master builder.
He lived in Sicklinghall, near Wetherby, where he kept his stables.
In 2001, he was awarded a knighthood for his services to charity which included the opening of the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre at Harrogate District Hospital.
The centre was opened in March 2014 and continues to offer cancer treatment and health and wellbeing services to patients today.
We're very sad to hear Sir Robert Ogden has passed away. We're eternally grateful for his generosity – it helped us to establish the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre at our hospital. Thank you Sir Robert for your support. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/NwAGA5bBnG
— Harrogate NHS FT (@HarrogateNHSFT) March 9, 2022
The hospital said:
“We’re very sad to hear Sir Robert Ogden has passed away. We’re eternally grateful for his generosity — it helped us to establish the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre at our hospital.
“Thank you Sir Robert for your support. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs a similar centre in Northallerton opened by Sir Robert, also paid tribute to him.
A spokesperson said:
“Sir Robert was a huge supporter of charities and generously helped improve cancer services in the region.
“We’ll always be grateful for his support. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”
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Successful racehorse owner
As well as charities, Sir Robert was a successful racehorse owner.
His mauve and pink checked silks were carried to victory by horses including Voy Por Ustedes and Exotic Dancer.
He also owned Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Exotic Dancer and top horses over the jumps, including Ad Hoc, Marlborough, Star De Mohaison, Fadalko and Squire Silk.
Former jockey and Gold Cup winning trainer, Jonjo O’Neil, paid tribute to Sir Robert.
He said:
“Very sad to hear that Sir Robert Ogden has passed away.
“We enjoyed some incredible days with Exotic Dancer, notably winning the Lexus and a second in the Gold Cup.
“He was a wonderful gentleman who will be sadly missed. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Sir Robert died peacefully at home on March 6, 2022.
He is survived by his second wife Lady Ana Ogden and his two sons Adam and Robert from his first marriage.
In memory of Sir Robert, a donation page has been set up at the University of Leeds to help support research into brain cancer. You can donate and find more information here.