ORGANISERS of this year's Ashbourne show have heralded the

event a success – despite some farmers staying away because of

bovine TB.

Eight thousand people attended the 117th annual show at the

Polo Ground, Osmaston.

Animals of all shapes and sizes competed in the various

agricultural classes but Bill Carr, vice chairman of the show,

said some farmers were forced to stay away because of bovine

TB. Derbyshire is one of the areas badly hit in the UK by the

disease.

Mr Carr said: "Cattle numbers in the classes have been very

good considering some of the problems the farming industry in

this area is going through.

"But the quality of the animals put forward has been

excellent. We would like to see a few more next year but I know

several farmers whose animals have gone down with TB that have

not been able to come."

One young farmer who did make the trip to the show was

eleven-year-old Tom Stevenson, who entered the under-11 Young

Handler class with five-month-old Jersey cow, Rose.

Also competing was his brother, Jack, 13, and cousin Lee

Wheat, 16, in the under-18 category of the Young Handler and

elder cousin Mark Wheat, 19, in the Mature Handler

category.

The family team were showing cows from Mill Farm, in

Stramshall, Uttoxeter.

Tom said he had practised hard for the competition, getting

up at 5am on the day of the show for final preparations.

He said: "I have been at the farm every day this week. I

couldn't play out with my friends once because I was there but

I do enjoy it."

Visitors to the event also enjoyed a dog show, falconry

display and vintage cars.

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