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.
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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