Last updated 12:33, Friday, 15 August 2008

HAWKSHEAD Show, a number of hound trails and various other events have had to be cancelled due to bad weather.

The hounds come home at the annual Cleator Moor Sports on saturday July 19th 2008

The houndtrailing  event at Dean on Saturday has been cancelled because of the state of the ground and Hawkshead Show, which was due to take place next Tuesday (August 19) has also had to be cancelled.

The Allonby charity ploughing match due to be held on Sunday (August 17) has been postponed because of the wet weather. The event at Mealo Hill Farm will be held instead on September 28 to raise money for Hospice at Home. Entries will be carried forward.

The Border British Blue Club has also had to cancel its stock-judging event at Buckabank Farm, near Dalston. One hundred people were expected to attend on Sunday. 

The Met Office has issued an early severe weather warning saying: "There is a moderate risk of a severe weather event affecting Northern Ireland, western and southwestern Scotland, Cumbria and western Wales. Rain will move in from the west and will become persistent and heavy in places. Accumulations of 25 to 50 mm are possible, especially on hills."

Meanwhile Skelton Show is still going ahead on Saturday (August 16), although without horses. Show Director David Crowden told Pentalk: ˜Whilst officials are concerned the wet weather continues to affect the condition of the field, we have decided to carry on and hope the field will dry up particularly as the forecast is set fair for the weekend. However due to the logistics of getting lorries on and off the field, and for safety concerns, all horse classes have been cancelled. This in unfortunate as we had record horse entries this year’

˜Whilst there are some wet areas the field is in remarkable condition, we also have the advantage of two hardcore roads which we installed many years ago which help movement of vehicles around the field. The car park fields are in good condition. Whilst Lowther was a wash out, we are only a one day event so providing we are careful setting up we are sure we can deliver a safe and enjoyable show."

Whilst the committee will continue to set up the field over the next few days they will aim to minimise vehicle movements. Officials will also cordon off the main thoroughfares to give ground as much time as possible to dry out. Friday is the critical day when trade stands start to arrive.

David says "We will need to try and get them on using routes away from where people will walk on."

All exhibitors are asked to reconsider what vehicles they bring to the show where possible avoiding the use of heavy plant which may be difficult to manoeuvre into position


The Show is held at the Old Park Hutton in the Forest on B5305 three miles north west of the M6 Jun 41.

See also latest hound trail report. and Rural News section.