THE foot-and-mouth outbreak has led to the cancellation of the 115th Bowes Agricultural Show.

A statement issued earlier this week said that, as Bowes and the surrounding district was within a high risk area for foot-and-mouth, the committee had reluctantly, but unanimously, decided that the most responsible course of action was to cancel the show, scheduled for September 8.

With farms in the area already affected, it was agreed that, even if the disease was totally eradicated in the near future as they all hoped, this year's livestock exhibits would be affected.

The committee will, however, monitor the situation and may consider holding the industrial and horticultural sections in the village hall. If those sections do go ahead, schedules will be circulated nearer the time.

Similarly, the annual dinner dance, which had to be cancelled in March, will be rescheduled as soon as the all-clear is given. All who reserved tickets or expressed an interest will be notified of the new date.

Trophy winners from the 2000 show are asked to return their cups to the appropriate secretary before September 8. Horse and pony trophies should be left with Mrs Robina Tranter, West View Farm, Boldron, tel Teesdale 631125; cattle and sheep trophies to Mr G Rigg, Rutherford Farm, Scargill, tel Teesdale 621284; industrial and horticultural trophies to Mr P Nicholls, 4 Low Road, Bowes, tel Teesdale 628408.

Other fund-raising activities will continue, with the aim of staging the best-ever show next year. Any donations or subscriptions will be gratefully received. New classes and events will be announced in the press at the appropriate time.

Annual raffle tickets will be available from late July, to be distributed through the late summer and autumn. The Christmas fair, held for the first time last year, will be held again this December, and should be followed a week later by a domino drive and the raffle draw.

The committee thanked everyone for their loyal and valued support over the years and hoped they would join them for the next show on Saturday, September 14, 2002.

Members added that, during these difficult times, their thoughts were with those affected, either directly or indirectly, by foot-and-mouth.

All exhibitors from the previous two shows will be sent copies for the 2002 show as soon as they become available. Trade stands and craft stallholders will be contacted early next year, or they may write or telephone for an application form to Mr Philip White, Old Police House, Bowes, tel Teesdale 628208.

l A decision has not yet been made as to what form, if any, this year's Eggleston Show will take.

The secretary, Mr George Lawson, told the D&S Times that it was possible that the show, traditionally held the week after Bowes, might be staged with horses, rabbits and poultry, but a final decision was not expected to be taken for another five or six weeks.

Over in Weardale, the organisers of the oldest agricultural show in the country hope to stage the 223rd event at Wolsingham on the first weekend in September. A final decision is expected to be taken in late May or early June but, if the show does go ahead, it will be without livestock classes.

The Weardale Agricultural Society has already cancelled what would have been the 132nd show at St John's Chapel. Instead, horticultural, craft and other classes not concerned with livestock will be staged at various venues in the village over the August bank holiday weekend.

A decision is also awaited on the fate of the 161st Stanhope Show, due to be held on the second weekend in September. The committee is considering cancellation, but is also looking at the possibility of staging events at alternative venues.