It's ladies' day at Glendale Show

The theme has been chosen by Glendale Agricultural Society to highlight the important roles played by women in agriculture and rural industries.

A 30-strong team of female judges will decide the results of almost 100 classes at the event, women will take centre stage in a number of demonstrations, and a Rural Heroine of Glendale contest has been organised.

Show secretary Rachael Tait said: “Women have always played a crucial role in our community in Glendale and it’s high time their input and achievements were recognised on a wider stage.

“I’m delighted that we have the chance to celebrate some of our remarkable rural women by making our 2016 theme Glendale’s Year of the Lady.”

The event, which takes place at the Showground in Wooler on Monday, August 29, will include children’s entertainment, music, chainsaw carving, a fairground, vintage machinery, stalls, rural crafts, fell racing and a display by Squibb Freestyle Motor Cross.

In keeping with the theme, the first female winner of One Man and His Dog Katy Cropper will give sheepdog demonstrations, which will also feature geese and horses, and her daughter Henrietta, who was the youngest competitor on One Man and His Dog, will be helping out.

There is an abundance of livestock classes, and new this year is a minority/rare breed category. The livestock points competition, sponsored by Carrs Billington, has a top prize of £200.

In a first for Northumberland, the Donkey Breed Society Miniature Supreme Championships will be held at the show, alongside traditional donkey classes, and there will also be goat and equine classes.

The Glendale Horticultural and Industrial Society will present thousands of exhibits, from arts and crafts to vegetables and bakery, and there will be more than 200 trade stands.

The show will also be offering a Best Dressed Lady prize.

Some 12,000 visitors are expected at the event, which is sponsored by Lilburn Estate, Northumberland National Park, Ford and Etal Estate and Lazy Grace.

The Rural Heroine contest, organised in partnership with Glendale PR and Marketing, is open to women of all ages in the area who have made their mark on the rural community.

Judges will be looking for remarkable entrepreneurship, inspiration, innovation or community involvement, and the winner will be announced at the show.

Women can either nominate themselves or be nominated, with entry forms available at www.glendaleshow.com

Entries should be received by Friday, August 19 by email to [email protected]