Mirfield Show
Encyclopedia
Mirfield Show is an annual agricultural show
held at the Huddersfield Road Showground in Mirfield
, West Yorkshire
, England
on the third Sunday in August. It is organised and run by the Mirfield Agricultural Society (MAS) as a not-for-profit
event and regularly attracts over 6,000 visitors each year from across Yorkshire.
and opposite Mirfield Memorial Park (home to Moorlands and Mirfield cricket
clubs). The site is 5.5 acres (22,257.7 m²) in area, and regularly hosts local football matches, fair
s and the annual Mirfield Charity Bonfire
organised by Mirfield Round Table
.
s, Roman military
re-enactments by the LEGIO SECVNDA AVGVSTA and classic car
displays. It has also entertained the crowds with tug of war
competitions, children's races and its locally famous Bush Tucker
Challenge. The second is the Dog Ring which holds the Fun Dog competitions.
James Walker, and it was opened by Councillor
J H Barraclough, chairman
of Mirfield UDC. The show reached its peak in the early 1960s and after several years of decline it ceased to take place.
herding
, a tug of war, organised by Mirfield Sports Council and a display from Mirfield Martial Arts Club. Subsequent years have seen Tripe
and Jelly
eating competitions, sheep shearing
, dog agility skills
, motorbikes
, majorettes
, birds of prey
, fire service
displays, shirehorse
s, children's puppet shows
, a horse powered threshing machine
and performances from Knottingley
Silver Band.
The 2003 show was put in doubt due to a lack of exhibitors and again the 2006 show when developers put forward plans to build a new community health centre on the Huddersfield Road Showground. In 2007, despite the early weather, the show pulled in the crowds with record entries in many events.
Robert Bennett. The 1995 show was estimated to have drawn in around one thousand visitors and the 2007 event in excess of 5,000.
position for this year. It was opened by Margaret Watson of the Mirfield Reporter
. Attractions include the award winning Springer's Dog agility and Flyball
Club, a demonstration of the 16th century Japanese classical martial art
of Takeuchi-ryu
by Mirfield's Shoufukan Dojo
and a new Banana
aating competition. New classes were added for domestic rabbits and amateur gardeners, a children's colouring competition, a photography competition and a creative writing competition. Steve Pope won the Bushtucker Challenge, whilst Haighs Farm Shop team won the tug of war for the 3rd year running!
Display Team; the Royal Artillery
Parachute
Display Team; Find Mirfield a Town Crier
Competition; and Rabbit Jumping
- as well as the horse and dog shows, flower and vegetable classes, and rabbit and domestic exhibits. The Tug-of War was won by Bradfield Brewery, beating last year's winners The Misfits in the final.
Air Tattoo Helicopter
Display Team and the Black Rock Llama
Display Team. The show is scheduled to be opened by Lieutenant Colonel
David Eastman MBE
REME
.
Agricultural show
An agricultural show is a public event showcasing the equipment, animals, sports and recreation associated with agriculture and animal husbandry. The largest comprise a livestock show , a trade fair, competitions, and entertainment...
held at the Huddersfield Road Showground in Mirfield
Mirfield
Mirfield is a small town and civil parish within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England. It is located on the A644 road between Brighouse and Dewsbury...
, West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
on the third Sunday in August. It is organised and run by the Mirfield Agricultural Society (MAS) as a not-for-profit
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
event and regularly attracts over 6,000 visitors each year from across Yorkshire.
The Showground
The Showground is situated near Mirfield town centre - adjacent to Crowlees Junior and Infant SchoolCrowlees Junior and Infant School
Crowlees Junior and Infant School is a voluntary controlled primary co-educational day school that educates around 420 children aged 5–11. It is situated at the far side of Springfield Park, off Parker Lane in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, England...
and opposite Mirfield Memorial Park (home to Moorlands and Mirfield cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
clubs). The site is 5.5 acres (22,257.7 m²) in area, and regularly hosts local football matches, fair
Fair
A fair or fayre is a gathering of people to display or trade produce or other goods, to parade or display animals and often to enjoy associated carnival or funfair entertainment. It is normally of the essence of a fair that it is temporary; some last only an afternoon while others may ten weeks. ...
s and the annual Mirfield Charity Bonfire
Bonfire
A bonfire is a controlled outdoor fire used for informal disposal of burnable waste material or as part of a celebration. Celebratory bonfires are typically designed to burn quickly and may be very large...
organised by Mirfield Round Table
Round Table (club)
Round Table is a social networking and charitable organisation for men in their 20s, 30s and early 40s, founded in Norwich, England, in 1927. It is open to all men aged between 18 and 45...
.
The Rings
The show is centred around two rings. The first is the Main Ring which hosts the Horse & Pony Show in the morning, followed by main attractions in the afternoon, which have included interactive demonstrations of dogs, birds of prey, duck herding, racing terrierTerrier
A terrier is a dog of any one of many breeds or landraces of terrier type, which are typically small, wiry, very active and fearless dogs. Terrier breeds vary greatly in size from just a couple of pounds to over 70 pounds and are usually categorized by size or function...
s, Roman military
Military of ancient Rome
The Roman military was intertwined with the Roman state much more closely than in a modern European nation. Josephus describes the Roman people being as if they were "born ready armed." and the Romans were for long periods prepared to engage in almost continuous warfare, absorbing massive losses...
re-enactments by the LEGIO SECVNDA AVGVSTA and classic car
Classic car
A classic car is an older car; the exact meaning is variable. The Classic Car Club of America maintains that a car must be between 20 and 40 years old to be a classic, while cars over 45 years fall into the Antique Class.- Classic Car Club of America :...
displays. It has also entertained the crowds with tug of war
Tug of war
Tug of war, also known as tug o' war, tug war, rope war or rope pulling, is a sport that directly pits two teams against each other in a test of strength. The term may also be used as a metaphor to describe a demonstration of brute strength by two opposing groups, such as a rivalry between two...
competitions, children's races and its locally famous Bush Tucker
Bushfood
Bushfood traditionally relates to any food native to Australia and used as sustenance by the original inhabitants, the Australian Aborigines, but it is a reference to any native fauna/flora that is used for culinary and/or medicinal purposes regardless of which continent or culture it originates...
Challenge. The second is the Dog Ring which holds the Fun Dog competitions.
The Marquee
The marquee is one of the focal points of the show and is home to various rabbit, pigeon, flower, vegetable and domestic exhibitors - all competing for Best in Show awards. An additional section is allocated to craft stalls.1944 (Original show)
The original Mirfield Show was founded during 1944 ‘to bring a little sunshine into the wartime lives of local people’. The president was ColonelColonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
James Walker, and it was opened by Councillor
Councillor
A councillor or councilor is a member of a local government council, such as a city council.Often in the United States, the title is councilman or councilwoman.-United Kingdom:...
J H Barraclough, chairman
Chair (official)
The chairman is the highest officer of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office is typically elected or appointed by the members of the group. The chairman presides over meetings of the assembled group and conducts its business in an...
of Mirfield UDC. The show reached its peak in the early 1960s and after several years of decline it ceased to take place.
1995 (Revised show)
In 1995 Mirfield Agricultural Society was founded, and the show began again on Sunday 20 August, with duckDuck
Duck is the common name for a large number of species in the Anatidae family of birds, which also includes swans and geese. The ducks are divided among several subfamilies in the Anatidae family; they do not represent a monophyletic group but a form taxon, since swans and geese are not considered...
herding
Herding
Herding is the act of bringing individual animals together into a group , maintaining the group and moving the group from place to place—or any combination of those. While the layperson uses the term "herding", most individuals involved in the process term it mustering, "working stock" or...
, a tug of war, organised by Mirfield Sports Council and a display from Mirfield Martial Arts Club. Subsequent years have seen Tripe
Tripe
Tripe is a type of edible offal from the stomachs of various farm animals.-Beef tripe:...
and Jelly
Fruit preserves
Fruit preserves are preparations of fruits and sugar, often canned or sealed for long-term storage. The preparation of fruit preserves today often involves adding commercial or natural pectin as a gelling agent, although sugar or honey may be used, as well. Prior to World War II, fruit preserve...
eating competitions, sheep shearing
Sheep shearing
Sheep shearing, shearing or clipping is the process by which the woollen fleece of a sheep is cut off. The person who removes the sheep's wool is called a shearer. Typically each adult sheep is shorn once each year...
, dog agility skills
Dog agility
Dog agility is a dog sport in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy. Dogs run off-leash with no food or toys as incentives, and the handler can touch neither dog nor obstacles...
, motorbikes
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
, majorettes
Majorettes
Baton twirling is an activity involving the manipulation of a metal rod and the human body to a coordinated routine and is similar to rhythmic gymnastics or color guard . Twirling combines dance and gymnastics while manipulating a single baton or multiple batons. It is primarily performed with the...
, birds of prey
Bird of prey
Birds of prey are birds that hunt for food primarily on the wing, using their keen senses, especially vision. They are defined as birds that primarily hunt vertebrates, including other birds. Their talons and beaks tend to be relatively large, powerful and adapted for tearing and/or piercing flesh....
, fire service
Firefighter
Firefighters are rescuers extensively trained primarily to put out hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, to rescue people from car incidents, collapsed and burning buildings and other such situations...
displays, shirehorse
Shire horse
The Shire horse is a breed of draught horse or draft horse . The breed comes in many colours, including black, bay and grey. They are a tall breed, with mares standing and over and stallions standing and over. The breed has an enormous capacity for weight pulling, and Shires have held the world...
s, children's puppet shows
Puppet
A puppet is an inanimate object or representational figure animated or manipulated by an entertainer, who is called a puppeteer. It is used in puppetry, a play or a presentation that is a very ancient form of theatre....
, a horse powered threshing machine
Threshing machine
The thrashing machine, or, in modern spelling, threshing machine , was a machine first invented by Scottish mechanical engineer Andrew Meikle for use in agriculture. It was invented for the separation of grain from stalks and husks. For thousands of years, grain was separated by hand with flails,...
and performances from Knottingley
Knottingley
Knottingley is a town within the metropolitan borough of the City of Wakefield in West Yorkshire, England on the River Aire and the A1 road. It has a population of 13,503....
Silver Band.
The 2003 show was put in doubt due to a lack of exhibitors and again the 2006 show when developers put forward plans to build a new community health centre on the Huddersfield Road Showground. In 2007, despite the early weather, the show pulled in the crowds with record entries in many events.
2007
The event was held on Sunday 19 August. The main ring events included 'Cyril the Squirrel and his Racing Terriers', Bushtucker Challenge (eating competition), and a display of the 'Roman Emperor's Horseguard'. Rachael Carter won the Bushtucker Challenge for the third year (and subsequently retired), whilst Haigh's Farm Shop team won the 'Tug of War' for the second year. The Chairman for the event was Chris Ramsden. The show was opened by Mirfield MayorMayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
Robert Bennett. The 1995 show was estimated to have drawn in around one thousand visitors and the 2007 event in excess of 5,000.
2008
The event was held on Sunday 17 August, under the direction of Karen Bullivant, who held the chairChair (official)
The chairman is the highest officer of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office is typically elected or appointed by the members of the group. The chairman presides over meetings of the assembled group and conducts its business in an...
position for this year. It was opened by Margaret Watson of the Mirfield Reporter
Mirfield Reporter
The Mirfield Reporter is a local weekly publication, providing news for residents of Mirfield, West Yorkshire, England, and surrounding areas.It is owned by Johnston Press Digital Publishing, and has sister newspapers Dewsbury Reporter, Wakefield Express, Batley News and Birstall News.In July 2008...
. Attractions include the award winning Springer's Dog agility and Flyball
Flyball
Flyball is a dog sport in which teams of dogs race against each other from a start/finish line, over a line of hurdles, to a box that releases a tennis ball to be caught when the dog presses the spring-loaded pad, then back to their handlers while carrying the ball.Flyball is run in teams of four...
Club, a demonstration of the 16th century Japanese classical martial art
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
of Takeuchi-ryu
Takenouchi-ryu
is one of the oldest jujutsu koryū in Japan. It was founded in 1532, the first year of Tenbun on the twenty-fourth of the sixth lunar month by Takenouchi Chūnagon Daijō Nakatsukasadaiyū Hisamori, the lord of Ichinose Castle in Sakushū...
by Mirfield's Shoufukan Dojo
Dojo
A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...
and a new Banana
Banana
Banana is the common name for herbaceous plants of the genus Musa and for the fruit they produce. Bananas come in a variety of sizes and colors when ripe, including yellow, purple, and red....
aating competition. New classes were added for domestic rabbits and amateur gardeners, a children's colouring competition, a photography competition and a creative writing competition. Steve Pope won the Bushtucker Challenge, whilst Haighs Farm Shop team won the tug of war for the 3rd year running!
2009
The event took place on Sunday 23 August, again under the direction of Karen Bullivant, with the highest number of visitors so far, with about 10,000 visitors. The Tug of War was won by The Misfits from Alan Chappelow's Calder Farm and the Horse Show by Care Johnson. Events include the Trials Kings Bicycle Display Team, Ben Potter’s Birds of Prey; the award-winning Knottingley Silver Band; the Grand Bush Tucker Challenge; pony rides, Pinxton Puppets, tug-of-war, cheerleaders, children’s races, a fun beach, Alpacas and a food court.2010
The event took place on Sunday 22 August and was reported to have had about 12,000 visiotrs passing through the gates throughout the day - with about 6,000 on the showground at its peak - breaking last year's biggest-ever attendance record of 10,000. The day's festivities, included an appearance of The Kangaroos GymnasticsGymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique with each country having its own national governing body...
Display Team; the Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
Parachute
Parachute
A parachute is a device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag, or in the case of ram-air parachutes, aerodynamic lift. Parachutes are usually made out of light, strong cloth, originally silk, now most commonly nylon...
Display Team; Find Mirfield a Town Crier
Town crier
A town crier, or bellman, is an officer of the court who makes public pronouncements as required by the court . The crier can also be used to make public announcements in the streets...
Competition; and Rabbit Jumping
Rabbit show jumping
Rabbit show jumping is a competition in which trained domestic rabbits leap over appropriately sized obstacles. The activity began in the late 1970s in Sweden . It was popularized in the United Kingdom following an appearance on the TV show That's Life!...
- as well as the horse and dog shows, flower and vegetable classes, and rabbit and domestic exhibits. The Tug-of War was won by Bradfield Brewery, beating last year's winners The Misfits in the final.
2011 - scheduled event
The event is planned for Sunday 21 August and this year's headline acts will be the JHCJoint Helicopter Command
Joint Helicopter Command is a tri-service organisation uniting military helicopters of the British Armed Forces for command and coordination purposes...
Air Tattoo Helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
Display Team and the Black Rock Llama
Llama
The llama is a South American camelid, widely used as a meat and pack animal by Andean cultures since pre-Hispanic times....
Display Team. The show is scheduled to be opened by Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
David Eastman MBE
MBE
MBE can stand for:* Mail Boxes Etc.* Management by exception* Master of Bioethics* Master of Bioscience Enterprise* Master of Business Engineering* Master of Business Economics* Mean Biased Error...
REME
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers is a corps of the British Army that has responsibility for the maintenance, servicing and inspection of almost every electrical and mechanical piece of equipment within the British Army from Challenger II main battle tanks and WAH64 Apache...
.