One of the highlights of year for me is always our fantastic Leek & District Show. This year was another great day out – even the “refreshing” shower couldn’t dampen the fun - it really is an event where local people come together.
The event is such a lovely way to demonstrate the great community spirit that the Moorlands are so famous for as well as some of the best parts of our rural life. From admiring the beautiful shire horses and the work to make their harness so brilliant, or the magnificent livestock, creative floral displays, arts and crafts, amazing vegetables through to dynamic local businesses showing off their products, or supporting our local charities and community groups it’s an impressive array for locals and visitors to enjoy.
As always it was an honour as your MP to present prizes to some of the worthy winners in the parade ring, and I particularly enjoyed the Navy and Marines Cadets’ field gun race later on in the day. There were so many contributors, the queues of children enjoying themselves at the CSOB penalty shoot-out, Leek Rugby Club’s passing challenge or many more were great to see. Following some tough months for our emergency services, it was also good to see them at the show and I know that we all appreciate their hard work.
Leek show captures some of the best of the town and the whole of the Moorlands – whether the farming expertise supports our local economy or seeing new businesses grow. Earlier in the day I was delighted to open the new Country Tools shop in the Buttermarket. Tracy and Craig have a bright new business making a great contribution to the town.
So, a special thank you to the Show’s organisers, particularly President Derek Torr, show Director Sam Hambleton and the Secretary Tanya Simcock and to all the sponsors who help to make Leek Show one of the outstanding days in the calendar.