NEXT Wednesday the spotlight will be on our countryside products and traditions at the Ulverston and North Lonsdale Show so we are taking a look at some of the fun from previous years.

This year's agricultural show at Lindal Cote Farm, Lindal, will feature everything from show jumping to trade stalls and crafts.

There will also be competitions in a wide range of classes ranging from cattle and sheep to poultry.

The first show was held in 1838 and an estimated 1,000 farmers from the Ulverston district attended and judging of the entries took four hours.

Perhaps the most unusual award presented at the show on October 22 was to John Bibby, of Frith, for reclaiming the greatest quantity of waste land and bringing it into cultivation.

The first show was followed by a 4pm meal for 130 men was prepared by staff from the Sun Hotel and served in an upper room of the Ulverston Savings Bank.

Despite two world wars, unpredictable weather and the occasional ban on livestock movements, the society behind the major event survived and on July 27 in 1994 was able to celebrate 150 shows.

The Mail noted: "North Lonsdale Agricultural Society celebrated its 150 th birthday in style at sun-drenched Bardsea Park with an action-packed show.

"A bumper crowd, matching last year's attendance of 4,400 flocked to the show which turned the clock back with a display of traditional English shorthorn dairy cattle, which were a popular breed when the first show was held in 1838.

"Four magnificent shorthorn animals from farms at Broad Oak, Crosthwaite and Stricklea, Old Hutton, had pride of place by leading the grand parade of prize winners round the ring.

"Although cattle from bygone days caught the eye, modern breeds now popular with Furness farmers took the prizes with Aldingham farmer Mark Towers scooping most of them.

"His Canadian Holstein dairy cow Aldingham Al Rosina took the prestigious supreme champion award."

There was cause for celebration among farmers at the 1999 show in Bardsea Park as the export ban on beef - imposed after BSE affected some British herds - had finally been lifted.

Show president Rod Cairns said: "This must be the best news for farming in the last three years.

"It is about time because everyone should know British beef is the best in the world."

The grand parade at the 1999 event was led by the Furness Pony Club, which was celebrating its golden jubilee

You can out more on the website at https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/zO0eCE8ggIo2oNLCN6pmh