IT WAS almost back to normal in the world of agricultural shows this week with a good turnout at the Great Yorks - along with some dodgy weather and a Royal visit.

But the shadow of foot-and-mouth was still present, if not quite as threatening as the clouds on the first and second days. While at first glance there appeared to be a good entry in most classes, some of the cattle sheds were almost empty and the mood somewhat sombre.

FMD restrictions are still an everyday reality for many farmers - some who attended the Royal Show were not able to be at Harrogate because of a 21-day ban on further movement.

But for others it was a welcome opportunity to meet old friends. For many top breeders, shows like the Great Yorks are the only chance they have to meet and socialise.

Although for many life will never be truly the same again, they will no doubt have taken comfort once more from the camaraderie of the sheep and cattle lines.

Time to learn

Last year there was a debate about whether we start our children at school too early. In some European countries, children so do not start school until they are six or seven. In Britain most parents are made to feel guilty if they do not have baby's name down for pre-school nursery before arriving home from the maternity unit.

At Butterknowle Primary School, near Bishop Auckland, they are taking things a step further with a project teaching seven and eight-year-olds about the world of work. Community and business leaders having been coming into the school to tell them about the real world.

Laudable though this project may be, isn't it better that we let our children be children. They have plenty of time to learn about the real world later in their school careers