A historic Northumberland country show is set to return on August 13 after an enforced four-year hiatus.
A version of the Glanton Show was first held more than 160 years ago, though it has been cancelled for the last three years on the bounce. In 2019, heavy rain and floods called it to a halt while the last two years, like much of the Northumberland events calendar, the Coronavirus pandemic put a stop to it.
But organisers are aiming to bring it back with a bang, and there will be a host of activities for all of the family. This year's attractions include live music, terrier racing, classic cars, a gun dog training display, and a children's funfair and sports events.
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Jon Radgick, show chairman, said: " Barring a plague of locusts, the event this year will be going ahead! We look forward to welcoming people to the show.
"Our committee is delighted to be resuming ‘normal service’ and have been working extremely hard to bring together a number of fabulous attractions, which we are sure will combine to create an enjoyable and memorable day."
The show has a rich and storied history, with the 'Glanton Games' first held in 1855 in the field in front of what was then the Red Lion Inn. The programme included wrestling, hurdles, shot put, flat racing, sack races and even a donkey race.
By 1869, the games were known as 'The Great Northern Games at Glanton,' a grand title that reflected the Victorian penchant for prefixing names with the word 'Great,' rather than the scale of the games themselves. In 1887, it was reported that "Glanton may be said to be the nursery of wrestling in north Northumberland."
However, by 1891 it was reported that The Games had been allowed to fall through. In 1895 the village launched the Glanton and District Art, Industrial and Loan Exhibition, likely the forerunner to the show today.
The Glanton Show will be held at Glanton Showfield, NE66 4AL and gates to the event will open at 12:30pm. Entry is charged at £5 for adults, £1 for children and a £10 family tickets is available.
All proceeds raised go back into the running of this year's and future shows. For more information, visit the Glanton website.
Are you glad to see the Glanton Show back after four years away? Let us know!
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