b'Memories of the Bishop Wilton ShowIrene MegginsonThe Bishop Wilton Show, with judging in progress, when it was on one of Jebsons fields along Thorny Lane. The photograph, c1957(slightly faded in the centre), was supplied by Irene Megginson. Irene identified her daughter, Maureen, on Shamrock, far right, and John Sleightholme on White Water Skylark in the centre of the photograph by the judge.T he year 2007 will be remembered locally as theThere was indeed a great buzz in the air, to find year the Show was cancelledNOT by a majora seat near the ring, to visit side shows and stands, disaster like a war or foot and mouth, but by a surfeitor to criticise entries in the tents (seldom called of rain.marquees). As to the toilet facilitiesthey are best For weeks we had got used to daily showers,forgotten! There were all the important agricultural heavy storms, or constant drizzle. We were lucky hereclasses, more livestock than today, and of course the not to be flooded out as they were in many areas, buthorses with show classes, jumping, and the popular the land was just soaked, and the week before thefancy dress. We were involved in pony classes, and Show, the committee decided there was no alternativerather specialised in Fancy Dress on Horseback, with to a general cancellation. many hours in the weeks before spent thinking up On what would have been Show Day, the Halffresh ideas, and after last-minute sewing, improvising, Marathon continued, and an exhibition of Localcollecting the necessary equipment, and often History was held in the Village Hall, together with therejecting ideas as impossible, sometimes we won and childrens tent classes still being judged, and thissometimes we didnt. I specially remember turning our attracted many people who admired the displays, butskewbald cob into an Ayrshire cowcomplete with also thought What a Show Day! horns and udderwith two milkmaids in white coats My memories of Show Day only go back to 1956,carrying three-legged stools and buckets!the year we moved to Cot Nab, and went to the ShowEveryone dressed for the Show in Sunday best for the first time. We were not strangers to shows inclothes, and the children had a great time. Many general as a farming family with children as keen andyoungsters vied to sell the most programmes, and interested as we were, but here it was our Show andlater took part in sports with great enthusiasm. Ice we were part of it. creams were more of a treat than for todays children.It was held then in two fields along Thorny Lane,For a few years there were pageants on trailers, and near enough for nearly all the villagers to walkpulled by tractors. I thought this a great opportunity there. I remember seeing a constant procession ofto put on an act. As a family we did The Good Old people of all ages making their way there throughoutDays variety show, and I seem to remember winning the morning. A lot of wives would have spent timea shield one year. It was a popular spectacle, but I beforehand in baking and cooking to set out a goodthink the organisation and effort involved proved too spread for visitors to enjoy after the Show, for it wasmuch for the idea to become permanent.an annual custom to invite friends and relatives to call,The great finale in the evenings was Musical to share a meal, and to catch up on gossip and familyChairs in Cars! What the Health and Safety people news. would have thought of this mad scramble, I cant BULLETIN 16 293'