A POPULAR produce show will go ahead this year but coronavirus social distancing restrictions mean it will be an online event for the first time.

The organisers of the Askrigg produce show have captured the spirit of enterprise and innovation which inspired the first show nearly 80-years-ago, and come up with a novel way to keep the show on the road.

Committee chairman Mike Dechezeaux said: “Our strapline for this year is ‘The show must go on-line’ which sums up our approach nicely.

"We are not cancelling the show, just doing things differently.

"We certainly won’t be holding a show dance in the evening as was the custom in the early days, but we want as many people to enter as possible to make this a real success despite the dreadful effects of the pandemic.”

“It will be rather different from previous years in that exhibitors will be able to photograph their exhibits from the best angle and position to show off their labours most effectively.

"They will also be able to look at the competition to see what the standard of entries is like, but we hope this won’t put anyone off.”

Entries will be accepted up to midnight on Friday, August 28, and judging will take place remotely by an expert team.

Winners will be announced on the website and through social media at around midday on “show day”, Sunday, August 30.

There will be no cups or trophies this year, but vouchers to spend locally will be awarded to the winning children in each age group.

The Askrigg and District Produce Association began in 1941, at the height of the Dig for Victory campaign, and has continued without a break ever since in the temperance (village) hall.

Mike and his committee, a dedicated and talented team who have run the show for several years, were determined to work round this year’s seemingly insurmountable obstacles, bringing the show to as many people as possible, and gaining an audience abroad as well.

He said: “We’ve asked any non-locals to say where they come from and we think perhaps we might attract some future international visitors to the show when we return to normality next year.

"We have had to alter the schedule a fair bit to allow for the fact that entries will be made by photograph. So no tipples or preserves, a very much reduced bakery section, but some extra classes that reflect the current situation,” he said.

“The floral art section will have a class entitled rainbows, in handicrafts there will be a class for hand-made anti-virus face masks, and there will be a Lockdown Limerick class.”

Photos of exhibits can be sent to askriggshow2020@btinternet.com – via the website – or via Facebook or Instagram: search for Askrigg Produce Show.

The dedicated website is at askriggproduceshow.weebly.com where exhibitors and visitors can find full details, explore the schedule and see how to enter.