Animals still a big part of the magic as country puts on its best
TWENTY-FIVE years ago, Tony Lomas turned his back on showing stock.
The Derby farmer had enjoyed huge success with his sheep and cattle and scooped awards across the region after first competing in 1969.
By his own admission he became "bored" with the circuit – but the 67-year-old said the competitive buzz never totally left him...
Now Mr Lomas, who runs Holmenook Farm, in Darley Abbey, is ready to try again – and said he was feeling confident about next week's Bakewell Show.
He will parade an award-winning 14-month old Limousin bull, as well as crossbred Texel sheep, which he keeps at the North Avenue farm.
He said: "I enjoyed competing. But 25 years ago I became a bit bored with it and instead concentrated on building the farm up.
"We run a successful farm and have farm shop here that sells a good range of food such as free-range poultry, beef, lamb, pork and eggs.
"So I'm busy – but I just fancied showing again, it's as simple as that, really."
Mr Lomas' bull, which comes in at a hefty three-quarters of a tonne (a weight that will double when it is fully grown), has already won a best in show award at Ashby; it's a title he hopes to scoop again in Bakewell.
He said: "He's a big lad, this one, and I haven't seen one as good as him in a while.
"So I'm confident I'll do well at the show."
The annual Bakewell Show takes place on August 5 and 6 at the Agricultural Centre.
Thousands of visitors from across the country flock to the event, where they can see farming demonstrations, animal acrobatics, cookery demonstrations and various competitions.
One attraction in the main ring will be the Knights of the Damned jousting stunt team, who will be performing a colourful costumed display of medieval jousting.
They will join a range of other regular attractions, including 15 Minute Theatre, by the Storybag Theatre Company, this year performing an original whodunnit with a different ending for each performance.
The Bakewell beach will also be back, including deck chairs, buckets and spades and a Punch and Judy show.
Among other farmers at the event will be brother and sister Robert and Ann Chapman, of Heage, who will showing their black Jacob's sheep.
Mr Chapman, 59, said: "We have been showing there for a long time – probably 20 years.
"It is always a good event, one that sticks out in the calendar each year.
"We will be taking two males and three females this year.
"We hope to come away with a prize – but the taking part is always fun."
Mr Chapman said that he breeds sheep mainly for meat these days, with the price of wool taking a dramatic downturn following the credit crunch .
He said: "Wool is traded on the world's market and the price is currently at around 15p per kg.
"Bearing in mind the average fleece weighs around 3kg and the cost for a shearer to shear a sheep is £1.20 a fleece... well, you can do the maths for yourself.
"Most wool in the UK goes to the carpet trade.
"And with the current economic climate, people simply aren't moving house or buying new carpets."
Pigeon-fancier John Ahlfors, of Primrose Drive, Morley, will be taking his prize rose-comb bantams to compete at this year's show.
The 76-year-old retired lorry driver has been showing his birds at the event for the past 15 years.
He said: "It's a good show, the one at Bakewell, and one I always enjoy going to.
"I have competed already this year – in Stafford, Derby and Lichfield, so far – and Bakewell is up there with the best of them."
But the Bakewell show is not all about the animals.
Graham Arnold will be riding up from his Ilkeston home on his vintage 1971 Triumph T120 Bonneville motorbike to try to win this year's best in show. The 62-year-old, of Godfrey Drive, who is a green-keeper at Erewash Valley Golf Club, is hoping to emulate last year's first prize.
But he said he was not too confident.
He said: "I show six vintage bikes, and last year won best in show with my 1959 Royal Enfield Constellation bike.
"The year before, my 1970 Norton A50 Commando came third, but both of those bikes are a bit nicer than this year's, which is not such an eye-catcher.
"I'll certainly be hoping for good weather, because the ride up there in the rain is no fun."
This year will see Colin Underwood step out from behind the camera to become the Bakewell Show president.
Mr Underwood was the official show photographer for many years, and has also served as site surveyor.
He said: "After 25 years as a member of the show council, it is both an honour and a pleasure to be president of Bakewell Show.
"During my years as official photographer, it has been my privilege to visit every part of the showground.
"I know how much effort and expertise goes into the preparation for the two days of the event.
"It will be a particular pleasure to visit them again as president.
"Bakewell has a deserved reputation for friendliness and the grand parade will feature cattle as good as those at any show in the country.
"Let us hope for perfect weather – sunshine and a little light cloud – to ensure the comfort of visitors and livestock alike.
"We hope many people come and share the pleasures of the countryside in the beautiful surroundings of our showground."
Admission to the event, which runs from 8.30am to 6.30pm both days, costs £10 for adults and £8 for senior citizens.
A family ticket, which admits two adults and two children over six and under 15, costs £30.
Parking each day costs an additional £4.
To book, or for more information, visit show.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">20show.org">www.bakewell show.org
Click here to read about new dates for the Big One in Chaddesden
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