Aldborough & Boroughbridge Show: Dedicated family returning cattle class entries to past glories

For the past couple of years John has taken on the responsibility for the cattle classes with his daughter Lizzie, who is also now show secretary.

“The reason why I’m doing what I am now is because of having run around with bits of paper for the cattle section,” says John. “I’d always come to the show from being a little boy but until recently I was just a steward that turned up on the day.”

“When it’s like that, you are inclined to think it all just happens, that people just turn up, but when you’re in the hot seat you quickly realise it doesn’t work that way. There’s a lot of work that goes on to make sure exhibitors are there and that they feel good about it. It has been an eye opener these past two years, but we are working at getting entries in the cattle section back up.

Aldborough & Boroughbridge Show has earned a great reputation in recent times for its number of sheep entries in its Sheep & Wool classes that John’s other daughter Anna is involved with organising along with local sheep breeders Emma Chester and Linda Alderson.

“We just need to get the word around and we are doing,” says John. “The sheep classes attract hundreds of entries and there was a time years ago when we had about 100 cattle entries. Just before Covid we were attracting about 40 and last year when the show returned we were around 30. This year we have around 50 so we are heading in the right direction now.

“We had really good people Harry Orton and Rose Dickinson who ran the cattle section and are my inspiration. They did a lot of showing themselves. They had Limousins and that meant they knew a lot of others. Lizzie and I are trying to get to know everyone and encourage new exhibitors.

“We’ve booked in Beef Shorthorns, Jerseys, Longhorns, Aberdeen Angus, British Blondes, Highlands and commercials for this year.

“It’s good for the public to see different breeds because a lot don’t have chance to see them close up and some won’t appreciate that there are so many. Shows like Aldborough & Boroughbridge are fantastic for those who are just starting out in their showing careers and give the opportunity of picking up a few rosettes.

John and Lizzie spent last week as sheep stewards, along with Lizzie’s cousin Alice, at the Great Yorkshire Show but father and daughter also took the opportunity to go along the cattle sheds talking with breeders about bringing their animals to the show. One of their allies is Mick Dumbreck who shows Charolais cattle from the late Billy Turner’s herd run by Billy’s daughter Sarah.

“Mick and Sarah will be showing cattle tomorrow,” says John. “Billy was an amazing supporter of the show, which was held on his land for several years.

The show’s venue has changed several times in the past 30 years and is now held on the grounds of Newby Hall, this year for the fifth time.

“It’s a fabulous venue,” says Lizzie who is a lecturer in agriculture at Askham Bryan College and secretary of Boroughbridge YFC.

“Over the past years, since the show has been held here, we have grown and both exhibitors and the public who attend are now starting to see the show as an annual event in their diary. We are still a small local show attracting around 2500, but we try to cater for everybody with so many attractions.

“I’ve been involved with Aldborough & Boroughbridge Show all my life. I was the only ever Show Queen, for the show’s centenary. I joined the show committee at 13 with my Auntie Amanda (Gill), who is my dad’s sister and farms at Langthorpe with my uncle Paul. My cousin Alice is also involved with the show as she runs the produce, handicraft and children’s classes marquee with Amanda.

Keeping the show current, as well as maintaining classes, is something that Lizzie is very conscious of continuing, hopefully for many years.

“One of the things I added to the show is the treasure hunt. As show secretary I’m now the one everyone comes to with tradestand applications and competition entries, and I help dad with the cattle. I love that we have the most ever sheep entries this year, and I’d like t think that we can do the same with the cattle in a few years.

“I’ve always had an interest in livestock and in farming organisations. I’ve held roles at County, Northern Area and National level in Young Farmers and I was second in the National YFC Stockjudging competition for live and carcase with pigs.

“It is an honour to be show secretary and help dad build the cattle numbers. I take real pride in the show and I thoroughly enjoy it. We would love to hear from anyone who could help in any way with sponsorship of the cattle classes in future. Dad has offered to make them all a cup of tea and give them a slice of cake, but it would be nice to increase the prize money.