Tockwith bonfire and fireworks set to go-ahead

The annual Tockwith bonfire and fireworks look set to go-ahead this year.

Show organisers confirmed today that preparations were being made to hold the event on Friday, November 5.

The bonfire was cancelled last year due to the covid pandemic and doubts were raised over whether it will go ahead this year.

Tockwith and District Agricultural Show, which is organised by the same committee, was also cancelled this year due to “continuing uncertainty” over the impact of the pandemic.

However, the committee has decided to continue with preparations for fireworks night and also press ahead with plans for what will be the 75th Tockwith show in 2022.

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Michelle Lee, show president, said:

“No one can predict what will be happening next August – or indeed next month – but we feel that it’s now the right time to hopefully draw a line in the sand and move forward. 

“Staging a major event like this needs months of planning so if we don’t start now it will very quickly become too late to get it off the ground.

“Now our immediate priority is to get the bonfire and fireworks night organised so that people can see that Tockwith show is back in business, and hopefully when we light that fire on November 5 it will be a beacon of hope that we are moving into more positive times.”

Tockwith Show cancelled due to covid uncertainty

The organisers of Tockwith Show have cancelled this year’s event due to “continuing uncertainty” about the impact of covid.

This year’s show, which was scheduled for August, was due to be the 75th since it was first staged in 1945.

However, Tockwith and District Agricultural Society’s committee said there were “too many question marks” over what would be allowed and how to ensure public safety in order to make this year’s event viable.

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Michelle Lee, the show’s president, said the committee did not want to hold an event that did not match up to the quality of previous years.

She said:

“The simple problem is we just don’t know what is going to be happening in August, whether there will be any restrictions still in force and what we would be required to do as the show organisers to meet any future guidelines.

“It would be great if we could leave it until July and then make a decision, but the reality of organising one of the biggest agricultural shows in Yorkshire is that the preparation needs to begin months ahead of the event, and we are already well past the time when decisions need to have been taken.”

Organisers still hope to hold the annual bonfire and fireworks night will still be held at the showfield in November.

Ms Lee added:

“It’s tempting to say by November everything will be back to some form of normality but, again, without a crystal ball we just don’t know.”

Ripley Show has also been cancelled due to the pandemic.

The organisers of Masham Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally also postponed their event as there were “still too many uncertainties to proceed”.

The Great Yorkshire Show is still planned to go ahead this year and will be held over four days for the first time in its history.

Birstwith Show is also scheduled to take place on July 31.

Tockwith Show sends out SOS for volunteers

Tockwith Show has sent out an urgent SOS for volunteers to enable this year’s event to go ahead.

The show committee will vote on Wednesday next week on whether to go ahead with this year’s event in August, which would be the 75th show to be held.

Covid has already created uncertainty but there is the added risk of cancellation due to a shortage of helpers.

Allan Robinson, chairman of the committee, said:

“It’s likely that covid means there will be a need for even tighter controls on the day and at the moment we just don’t have enough people to guarantee that.

“We not only want new members on the committee, there are several areas of the show that need a steward to organise and supervise things and we also need people who are prepared to help in setting up the show and making sure it all runs smoothly on the day.”

Tockwith village is on the fringes of the Harrogate district, between Wetherby and York.

The annual show is a major part of civic life in the district and includes agricultural and horticultural competitions as well as arts and crafts and family fun.

it has been held annually every year since 1945, with two exceptions, including last year.

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Mr Robinson added:

“Tockwith Show reflects a huge part of the heritage of this region: farming is still a major part of our economy and our community, and it would be a real tragedy if we weren’t able to go ahead this year.

“But although it’s only held on one day there is inevitably a great deal of work that goes into the organisation to ensure it runs smoothly and safely.”

For further information on volunteering, call Mr Robinson on 01423 358 889 or contact him on email at allan.robinson2016@hotmail.com.