Loyalty of Grantown Show crowd praised - slideshow now on
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14 / 14THE MAN with the mic has paid tribute to the loyalty of the Grantown Show crowds and exhibitors with good numbers turning out despite the downpours of recent days.
There were around 3,000 paying spectators who came through the gates yesterday for the show.
The weather remained dry for the entire day at the event held by the Strathspey Farmers’ Club at the town’s Heathfield ground.
It followed more than 24 hours of non-stop heavy rain leading up to the show.
Coming back again this year to let the spectators know what was happening was Eddie Aldridge, who first attended the show in 1955.
He told the "Strathy": "Many of the leading exhibitors have still supported the show despite the inclement weather conditions and the difficulties that the farming industry is facing at the moment.
"It is a great advert for the Strathspey Farmers’ Club that the Grantown Show can continue to attract the top exhibitors from the North-East of Scotland and it is very encouraging to see so many young exhibitors taking part for the first time this year which augers very well for the future of the show."
He had similiar warm words for those who had made the trip and paid at the gate to see the livestock and other entertainment today.
"Despite the doom and gloom of the past few days with the torrential rain it has been a bonus to have dry conditions overhead.
"I think this has been sufficient to attract the exhibitors and the spectators."
It was an early morning for many of those who help to ensure the smooth running of the show as well as exhibitors showing off their livestock.
Alan Wright, sheep judge, had travelled up from Lanarkshire and was attending for his first time. It had taken him three and a half hours to reach the Strathspey capital.
He said: "There was a good quality turn-out of sheep particularly in the Blackface section which was very strong."
And on his first trip to the show, he said: "The rain has stayed off fortunately and the hospitality has been really first class."
We'll be running photos from the show here tomorrow and of course don't forget that next week's Strathy will have a full rundown of coverage including results and lots more pictures.
