THEY vowed their show would go on - even if it was online.
The team behind the traditional Penrith Show in true show style vowed not to be beaten by the coronavirus pandemic.
And while other agricultural shows in the county remain cancelled, Penrith is going ahead with a virtual difference.
Tomorrow (SAT) was set to be Penrith Show day, set in the picturesque Brougham Hall Farm setting, but was cancelled because of Covid-19.
Now thanks to today's technology, the popular one-day event is going online for the first time in its history.
Launched by Show President Tom Barr, “Penrith Virtual Show 2020” expect a feast of all things Cumbrian and its glorious rural acres, as the committee, sponsors and many competitors were keen to see the show go on in some form, bringing the community together, and still celebrating the essence of a fantastic farming and fun day out.
Saturday, July 18 was set to be Penrith Show Day. Sadly cancelled because of Covid-19, the committee, sponsors and many competitors were keen to see the show go on in some form, bringing the community together and still celebrating the essence of a fantastic farming and fun day out.
The committee turned to Showing Scene – a business managing virtual shows across the country, to provide the on-line platform that enables the show to go on.
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Richard Utting, Penrith Show chair said: “We wanted something that would make it easy for competitors to enter and allow virtual judging from a distance. So, we created a series of classes. These include categories for arable , livestock, poultry, rabbits, home made and home grown, plus children’s classes, a dog show and even a dry stone walling competition."
He added: “Competitors were asked to pay an entry fee and upload photos and a video for each class. They needed to display our 2020 sign so we would know their entry is current. When entries closed, our virtual judges logged in and reviewed the classes, making comments and selecting the winning entries."
“We will be downloading the winning entries onto our Facebook page and adding comments where appropriate.”
Cumbrian Stone – the Principal Partner announced earlier in the year, and key sponsors like Penrith Building Society have committed to supporting the event, along with other local businesses keen to support the show with sponsorship for classes.
Those not competing can still be part of the Penrith Show Community. The Penrith Show Facebook Page ( www.facebook.com/penrithshow ) will be sharing past show highlights, calling for visitors to post pictures and running competitions to win tickets to next year’s show.
President Tom Barr summed up by saying “It’s good to see technology of today set to keep alive a tradition founded in 1833 – when the only “int’ net” was when sheep ran into the fence.”
The Penrith Agricultural Society was formed in 1833 with the Society promoting the first Penrith Show the following year. This took place on Friday, September 26, on a field adjoining Croft House, Penrith. Since then the Society has grown in size and prominence now operating from its current site at Brougham Hall Farm, (by kind permission of CTA Helme) on the third Saturday in July each year.
The Society's aim is to promote the good of agriculture and livestock breeding in and around Penrith, to promote British food and farming in general and the drawing together of town and country for their mutual benefit.
Whilst retaining the tradition of a genuine agricultural emphasis, the show has gathered much momentum in recent years.
For more information on tomorrow's show go to www.penrithshow.co.uk
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