LEADEN skies and persistent rain greeted the opening of the Borrowby Show this week but the Yorkshire sprit shone through as visitors and exhibitors made the most of the occasion.

Now in its 69th year, the agricultural show and gymkhana attracted a host of entries across dozens of classes covering cattle, sheep, horses and dogs.

There was plenty of produce to admire in the food tent with tables laden down with everything from fruit and vegetables through to Yorkshire puddings, jams and cakes.

The event took place at the Hillside Rural Activities Park in Knayton and show secretary Sue Seddon said it was a shame that the morning downpours meant visitor numbers were likely to be down this year.

Speaking at the show on Wednesday, she said: “The weather is just horrendous but even though it is pouring down with rain we do have tremendous support.

“The classes are well supported and the children’s activity tent is very busy.”

Despite the inclement weather, Ms Seddon said she knew of visitors who had travelled a long way to enjoy the show.

“It is always well-attended in general, we get thousands along,” she said.

“We get tremendous support and people travel a long, long way for the classes.

“We have people from Kent and Oxford here who came after seeing us on The Yorkshire Vet and saw what a lovely local show it is.

“We are always trying to keep that more community feeling to it.”

Among the winners on the day in the cattle ring was Northallerton College student Eleanor Corner with her Beckside Jersey Legal Echo of Westmoor Farm near West Harsley who was crowned the Dairy Heifer Champion.

She fought off some stiff competition, including from Brymor Dairy’s Guernsey Chloe, handled by Rosie Grant, who was awarded Reserve Champion.

Eleanor, 15, said she was delighted with the result.

“It is the first time it’s ever happened to me,” she said. “I was very surprised, I didn’t expect it at all especially against those Guernseys.”

Over in the sheep ring, young competitor Jovi Wood, whose parents farm land in Stokesley, was victorious in the Pet Lamb class.

The five-year-old said she was pleased with her March-born Bleu du Maine texel cross Massy Lassy’s performance.

“It was good fun,” she said.

Away from the animals, other show attractions included vintage tractors and a stonemasonry stall which allowed visitors the chance to get hands-on in the ancient craft.

The Thirsk Yarn Bombers, made famous for their decorative exploits during the first Tour de Yorkshire, also had their own stall replete with a traditional spinning wheel to make knitting wool the old-fashioned way.

Ann Akers, one of the Bombers’ founding members, said people were still laughing and having fun despite the rain and her eternal optimism that it would brighten up was rewarded late in the day as the sun finally joined the show.