HISTORIC Otley Show is struggling for

sponsorship because of the financial crisis affecting farming and agricultural industries, writes John Baron.

Although there is no chance of the show folding, show organisers have found it increasingly difficult to attract the sponsorship, which has traditionally come from those industries.

And now show secretary Janet Raw has launched an appeal for other businesses across Wharfedale to support the show.

"The climate has been difficult for people in farming and agriculture and it is increasingly difficult to get sponsorship from these areas so we are looking for other businesses to come in and help us out," she said.

"Money has been hard to come by, so it's not surprising that some are unable to back the show in that way.

"All it takes is one particularly wet show day and we'll have to dip heavily into our reserves. The reserves have been built up over 200 years but these are the times when it could go

down."

Chairman Robin Cowgill said at Wharfedale Agricultural Society's recent AGM that it was good to see the show surviving at a time when farming and agricultural industries were at crisis point and added that the show should continue to support these industries in as many ways as possible. He backed the calls for other businesses to give their support.

For more details about sponsorship, contact secretary Janet Raw on 462541.

Meanwhile, it is too early to say whether the long-term future of Otley Show has been affected by the closure of Bridge End Auction Mart. The show will continue at its traditional home for this year's event on May 20 but plans for future shows are now in limbo.

Mrs Raw added: "It is too early to make assumptions about future shows. I am

uncertain what will happen in future years at the moment."

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