A Modern Show
2000 to Present DayBakewell Show in the 21st century is quite a different creature to its early counterpart. Whilst economic pressures have meant it has had to become a commercial entity, the show has done it’s best to ensure the friendly atmosphere is retained and it’s good reputation has remained intact.
Yet again the first few years of a new millennium were a trying time for the Bakewell Show. In 2001 with the country once again hit by foot and mouth disease, the show had two options; cancel for one year as it did in the 1880’s or to go ahead without animals. In the end we were one of the only shows in the country to take place, with great success. Animal attractions were replaced with variety acts, like it’s a knockout and giant boxing kangaroos, all farmers who would have attended as exhibitors were sent
tickets for a day out and a special open-for business marquee was erected to allow local businesses affected by foot and mouth to promote themselves for free to the show's visitors.
In 2002 with the foot and mouth epidemic over, the show went forward as usual. It was however, hampered by disastrous flooding in the weeks before the show that once again threatened the show’s survival. Tons of wood chip, stone and gravel were tipped into the walkways, water pumps were used to take away excess water and tracking was brought in to keep the car parks open. The show days themselves were dry and record crowds attended, but the extra outlay on wet weather measures made it a financial flop with a loss of £25,000.
2007 saw the dog show being granted Premier status by the Kennel Club, this meant that all best of breeds would qualify for Crufts, and allowed this section to go from strength to strength, with 2008 and 2009 seeing record entry numbers. This Premier status was lost in 2010 but we hope to regain it at some point in the future. The horse section has always been popular, holding qualifiers for several national events and in 2008 it decided to start holding some of the larger qualifying classes on the Tuesday afternoon to free up more time in the crowded ring
schedules. This has become a permanent fixture with most of Tuesday now dedicated to horse classes.
In order to make The Bakewell Show an even better value day out, in 2011 it was decided to scrap the children’s entry fee for all accompanied children under 16. This was a great success and it was decided to continue this new policy into 2012.
