Northumberland County Show cancelled due to continued doubts about return to normality

The event, which would normally expect to welcome over 26,000 visitors, had been scheduled for May 31.

However, Tynedale Agricultural Society has taken the difficult decision to cancel it due to continued concerns about a return to normality.

Chairman, Robert Raine, a farmer from East Woodburn, explained: “It is with a very heavy heart that we have taken this difficult decision, but with another lockdown in place and no sign of restrictions easing, we felt we could not take the risk to public health and the safety of our volunteers and staff.”

“It takes several months of intense work to organise an event of this scale, but with the uncertainty of how long it will take to get back to some form of normality, it is just not possible to run the show this year.

"We are deeply sorry for the disappointment this will cause, but we are sure everyone understands that protecting our community and visitors is our number one priority.”

The Northumberland County Show has been held in various locations and under different names since the 1830s, and over its 190 year history, has only been cancelled a handful of times – during each world war; and for the Foot and Mouth outbreak in 2001.

Since 2013, the show has been held in the beautiful grounds and parkland surrounding Bywell Hall, near Stocksfield.

Organisers will now turn their attentions to the 2022 event.

Robert said: “The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations next year give us the perfect platform to plan for an extra-special Northumberland County Show.

"In a break with tradition, the show will be held on Friday, June 3, 2022, which is an extra Bank Holiday.

"With a two year break behind us, we will all have something very exciting to look forward to and it will be absolutely spectacular!”

If you have any questions regarding the event’s cancellation, or its plans for 2022, please contact [email protected]. The office team are working very limited hours so will respond as soon as they are able to.

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