A MUCH-Loved show is to end after mounting running costs and a run of bad luck in recent years.

The Executive Board of the Cleveland Show took the difficult decision to wind up the Society, ending the existence of the Cleveland Show after over 75 years of running.

The Cleveland Show has been at the cultural heart of Middlesbrough, providing a great summer experience for exhibitors, competitors and visitors alike across the years.

Starting out as the Stockton Show in 1944 and being held at Ropner Park the Show moved to its current home, right in the heart of Middlesbrough, at Stewart Park in 1963 when it was known as Teesside Show until it became the Cleveland County Show in 1974.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

The Cleveland Show has been the largest annual event in the Stewart Park calendar ever since and shall rightfully take its place in the folklore of one of the most beautiful public spaces in the United Kingdom.

The Show has been proud to welcome to this beautiful part of the world such illustrious names as the 'Queens Coach's' and the 'Household Cavalry' in 1971, the serial Grand National Winner 'Red Rum' in 1977, the well renowned 'Daring Imps Motorcycle Team' in 1998 and the world-famous equine cast from 'Game of Thrones' in 2018 and was regularly attended, weather permitting, by in excess of 20,000 people.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

The Cleveland Show is a not for profit, self-funded event and recently the Show has been hampered by a horrendous run of bad weather on Show day, much-publicised mounting costs and now further significant restrictions and impacts borne from the Covid 19 pandemic.

This has resulted in the volunteer Executive Body, supported by its wider membership having to take the very hard decision to close the Show and surrender its Show Federation membership and in due course the Company will be struck off at Companies House and the Horticultural and Agricultural Society will be wound up.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

A spokesperson from the Executive Board said: "We wish to thank all exhibitors, competitors and the people of Teesside, North Yorkshire and County Durham for their support over the last 75 years.

"We would like to thank anyone and everyone who has had an association with this much-loved event but most importantly Middlesbrough Council CEO Tony Parkinson, our elected Council supporters and the Show Executive Board, Show Management Committee, Section Secretaries and wider membership for their effort, support and devotion towards the Cleveland Agricultural and Horticultural Society."