IT WAS a show of two halves for the 114th Muker event which opened to blue skies and sunshine but saw out the afternoon under heavy showers.

Thankfully the rain didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of around 2,000 people who turned out to enjoy the sheep classes, home produce, crafts, fell races and much more.

Show Chairman, Ernest Whitehead has now clocked up four decades at the helm and said the turnout had been so good that they had to open a couple of extra fields for visitors’ parking.

He said: “They come from all over and I think it is the setting that people like. Everybody says what a lovely little show it is. It isn’t too big, you can get around and see everything you want to see and it is a good, traditional country show.”

The Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team were among those with a show stall and assistant rescue controller Steve Clough said they were always well supported at Muker.

“It is right in the middle of where we do most of our rescues,” he said, adding that the team felt “humbled” by people affected by the recent floods who visited the stall to thank the team for their work.

Among the winners in the sheep classes were Hawes Swaledale sheep farmers Wayne and Karen Hutchinson who won a clutch of rosettes in the small breeders and tup lamb classes.

Mr Hutchinson said: “We’re very pleased, everybody who comes to Muker Show knows how hard it is to get a prize, it is a very high standard.”

Show Secretary Kathy Scott was delighted with the turn out and said the afternoon rain didn’t put a dampener on the day.