A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
Saturday 9th August 2025
A TRADITIONAL COUNTRY SHOW WITH LOTS FOR ALL TO SEE & ENJOY!
About Slaley Show
This annual exhibition of produce, livestock and skilled craftsmanship by the local community of Slaley and surrounding districts has seen many changes in its history; it has continued to survive and prosper nevertheless, to become one of the best village shows in Northumberland. Successive generations have worked hard to maintain the Victorian tradition of an annual 'get-together' of local people competing in friendly rivalry, or simply chatting over a cup of tea and a sandwich.
It began life in 1845 as the Slaley and Hexhamshire Floral and Horticultural Society Show, but by 1870 it was known as the Annual Sunday School Festival and Flower Show, and in 1902 it changed its name again to Slaley Flower, Butter and Poultry Show. It has changed venue from the Stanegarth Garden, behind Orchard House and behind the Rose & Crown, to its present location at Townhead in 1916. Similarly, the number and types of classes have changed over time; initially only flowers, vegetables, bread and eggs were shown, with animals being restricted to best dressed chickens! Gradually, classes for sheep, calves, poultry, goats and more recently alpacas were introduced, whilst the Industrial Section, encompassing everything from baking to photography, knitting to stick dressing, goes from strength to strength, attracting over 1000 entries in 2018.
Competitive sports have always proved popular, whether motor cycles or terrier racing, children’s games or the spills and thrills of the horse and pony classes, which now attracts competitors from far afield.
In its long history, the show has faced many setbacks and some cancellations (two World Wars, Foot and Mouth outbreaks in 1966 and 2001, heavy rain in 1956, 2004, 2011 and 2019 and COVID19 in 2020). Each successive committee has not panicked, but simply soldiered on, knowing it has a long and rich tradition to maintain and enhance wherever possible.
Contact the office of the Secretary
Contact : secretary.slaleyshow@hotmail.com
07766467455
Contact the Horse and Pony Secretary
07776 811264 - Laura MacDonald
Contact the Trade and Craft Secretary
Contact the Sheep Secretary
07837 674854 - Gemma
Contact the Industrial Section Secretary
01434 673589 -Margaret Rowell
Contact the Floral Section Secretary
combhills@gmail.com - Margaret Ogle
Contact for marketing enquiries
vickypepys@btinternet.com - vicky pepys
Meet Dale
Slaley Show has, in recent months, had several appeals for new faces and as a result Dale Holden from Hexhamshire is pleased to announce, in his first week as the new chair, that more new committee members and section heads are to be formally ‘appointed’ over the next few weeks.
“I am thrilled to be on board. After expressing my interest, I was delighted to be nominated. Since accepting the post, I have had a terrific welcome from existing committee members” says Dale
Dale comes to the post with many transferable skills. He has had a 25-year career in hospitality and events management and in more recent years runs a successful commercial photography and video business. He and his young family moved from Newcastle and have been residents of Slaley and Hexhamshire for the past 12 years.
His expertise in event planning, team management, marketing and licencing as well as visualisation and branding mean that the many roles which make up the full committee will all benefit from the fresh approach Dale will bring. His understanding of the shows original character and its progression with online presence and ticket sales is clearly in line with the committee’s role to safeguard Slaley’s agricultural profile but be open to allow the filtering through of beneficial innovation.
“There have been a number of changes in the last few years in the line-up of the team and the overall organisation of the show, but collectively we are now future proofing the event which regionally may be considered a small but culturally significant show” says Dale. “It is attracting an increasing number of local, regional, rural and urban visitors every year and is an ideal family friendly introduction into the agricultural way of life.”
“Slaley Show has at its heart, a unique charm. We are safeguarding and strengthening its qualities and protecting its profile for the next generation who will find themselves at the helm.”
Meet Fiona
Fiona Pattinson from Bellingham is the newly appointed Slaley Show secretary and is on somewhat familiar territory having been briefly in the role just prior to the covid years. Those ‘covid’ year shows were sadly never realised.
Hearing that the role was again ‘up for grabs’ this year Fiona responded quickly and is now back on board and making great strides in forward planning. She has thrown herself into the role and has already done much of the groundwork with the complex admin duties; she has come well prepared and is completely up to date with the increasing intricacies of staging a public event.
In the years since covid struck she was appointed trade stand secretary for Bellingham Show, a post she still holds. With just 3 weeks between the shows this summer it must be asked, how is she going to juggle between two different roles?
“I am well organised and love preparing events for the public to enjoy” she says speaking from the experience of planning the North Tyne Truck Run with the accompanying Santas Little Helpers who arrange presents and hampers for Christmas for those struggling in the North Tyne area. She also manages to fit in being a Learning Support Assistant at Haydon Bridge High School and is a mum of two. “Women are multi-taskers!” she smiles.
She is quick to point out that Slaley and Bellingham, and indeed shows all over the region, are all different in size and unique to their areas, “Slaley may be smaller, but it is known for its friendly character and history. It brings everyone together, rural and urban visitors for the day” she says.
Working on two shows at more or less the same time will have advantages she explains “My transferable skills will be fully utilised between the two and will benefit Slaley particularly as I am up to date with any new directives and health and safety concerns. I’ve also built up many positive working relationships especially with traders over the last few years”. “The size difference will of course make it easy for me to differentiate between the two! When I first began at Slaley 2018/19 I wanted to get more experience of running shows and I saw that Slaley had real potential to become even more special. To be invited back by the committee for a second time, now with Bellingham show experience, means that it was noticed I was a positive influence. I’m a people person; a problem solver and I have many new ideas; we’re already making good progress.”
“On show day watching others having fun is what makes me happy” she says, “but of course it’s all in the preparation!”
EndsFiona is available for interview
For further information please contact Vicky Pepys Slaley Show PR on 07802572326 vickypepys@btinternet.com
VISITORS
When you send your booking form back, please also send a RISK ASSESSMENT (see a slightly mocked-up risk assessment template below if you are not sure), and a copy of your PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE
How to find us and what is on the Showground
subject to weather related changes
