THE last of the country shows here in North Yorkshire was held at Stokesley. Here a lovely September day and the fact that in spite of the draconian rules applying to the exhibition of livestock there were once again cattle and sheep at the show brought out the crowds.

In fact, the attendance figures were the best for many years, with town and city dwellers out in force to support the farming community. This was the message I got many times during the day. One of the busiest stands at the show was the one run by the local hunts where a constant procession of people called to pledge their support for the Liberty and Livelihood march in London, which was taking place the following day. In fact this, and the perilous state of farming, were the main talking points all day no matter whom I spoke to.

This of course has been the constant theme at all the country shows this summer and is a real concern for everyone, from those who are directly affected by the problems to the city people who often have very tenuous family links with farming and the countryside. Many people are very concerned that if farming goes into terminal decline our food supplies will have to come from abroad. Through the summer this point was put to me time after time.

Other key issues raised at country shows throughout the summer:

Non-farmers were concerned about the quality of food which is imported into the country.

And they wanted to know if farmers are really receiving prices as low as reported and who is pocketing the difference between that and what they pay at the supermarket.

Visitors to the countryside also asked about subsidies; many seemed to think that only farmers received subsidies.

Foot and mouth was still high on the agenda, with many people still looking for answers and very few satisfied with the answers that have come out of Whitehall.

And what about hunting? they asked. Are you going on the march?

But in spite of all the perceived problems facing the countryside, everyone I spoke to at the shows, whether they were country people or just visitors out for the day, was delighted to be back in the countryside and showing again.

From the Great Yorkshire Show at Harrogate to the smallest of the country shows, the general sentiment was: "it is grand to be back showing again and blow the regulations. The agricultural shows, like the cattle markets, are the heart of rural England and part of our heritage."

Throughout the season, the message from all walks of life at the show was that the Government will ignore the peaceful protests of the country people at his peril. It's been the most interesting show season I have ever known.

Ken Harrison

Updated: 09:56 Wednesday, October 09, 2002