THE 122nd Glendale Show, in Northumberland, is gearing up for a record livestock entry after introducing new classes in response to demand from exhibitors.

Organisers expect to beat last year’s record of more than 400 head when it takes place at the showground near Wooler on bank holiday Monday, August 25.

Andrew Walton, chief livestock steward and a director of organisers the Glendale Agricultural Society (GAS), said: “We are delighted that in recent years the livestock classes at Glendale Show have seen resurgence and have gone from strength to strength.

“To meet the growing interest, we have incorporated some new sheep and cattle classes to appeal to existing and new exhibitors, and we do hope that once again the younger generation will be well represented.

“We are attracting exhibitors from further afield and as usual have a very high calibre of judges.

“The Glendale Show was very much built on and around livestock, and certainly we are delighted that we are still firmly established as one of the leading livestock showcases in Northumberland.”

A major extension of the sheep section will include four classes for non-MV Suffolks: shearling ram; ram lamb; ewe or gimmer; and ewe lamb.

A new flock competition will also appraise the overall husbandry and performance of commercial flock entrants.

New pedigree cattle classes have also been introduced at the request of breeders and exhibitors at last year’s show.

Ian Murray, livestock steward, said: “More people are trying to specialise, so it makes sense for us to offer pedigree cattle classes.

“We’re hoping that the new classes will attract entrants from County Durham, as well as exhibitors from Northumberland, Tyneside and the Scottish Borders.

“By extending our range of classes, we expect to attract not only new exhibitors, but additional visitors to the show.

“The audience loves to see cattle on display and, of course, it’s a very worthwhile enterprise for exhibitors who have a good shop window ahead of the autumn sales.”

Glendale Show is famous for the diversity of livestock on display and the main ring grand parade, which culminates in the crowning of the show’s Champion of Champions, will feature the winners of the cattle, sheep, horse, donkey and goat sections.

Last year’s Champion of Champions was awarded for the second year running to Aycliffe-based Julie Sedgewick and Penrith-based Neil Slack’s British Blue-cross steer, Maximum.

The grand parade is being sponsored by Davidsons Animal Feeds, a new supporter of the show for 2014.

The show costs about £100,000 a year to stage and would not happen without its sponsors.

This year, Carrs Billington is sponsoring the livestock points competition, which has a top prize of £200.

Also new is Hexham Auction Mart, which is sponsoring the Interbreed Championship. Garth Thompson Wealth Management is sponsoring the cattle section.

Equine classes include showjumping, hunter, exracehorse, Arab, coloured horses and children’s classes, including a ridden fancy dress contest.

This year’s entertainment includes The Kangaroo Kid – Australian world recordbreaking stuntman Matt Coulter and his quad bike; the Sheep Show, which is a New Zealand-based show that features different breeds and sheep that dance; and an air display of low-level aerial acrobatics from a privatelyowned stunt biplane.

Other attractions include falconry displays; sheep racing; fell racing for adults and children; rural crafts; countryside marquee; speciality food marquee; fairground; vintage machinery; chainsaw carving; children’s entertainment; and live music.

The show attracts 15,000 visitors and 200 trade stands.

Access is from the A697 and gates open at 9am. Advance discounted tickets can be purchased at bradsons.co.uk/ tickets/2014/08/25/glendaleshow- 2014/