Leek Show organisers are excited to finally hold the annual event again this weekend after it had to be cancelled for two years in a row.

The 2020 show had to be cancelled due to Covid restrictions, and organisers had to cancel the 2021 show, saying they were told by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council that Birchall Playing Fields, which are managed by the council, could not be available to host the show due to "current levels of COVID infections and changes to assembly restrictions".

However, the show is coming back better than ever this weekend with a new site and all kinds of activities and attractions for visitors to enjoy.

The new site at Dunwood Fields, Longsdon is ready and waiting for the 2022 Leek & District Show this Saturday 30th July with ample space for rural competitions of all categories, trade stands, craft stalls and entertainment.

Show Director, Bruce Daniel, commented: "After over 50 years at the Birchall site it has been a marathon task to fit in all that is expected of this, the biggest, agricultural show in the Moorlands. We now realise all the hard work that was put in over the years to establish the event and it is our utmost aim to make up for the loss of the last two years."

The livestock sections report entries of over 100 cattle, 100 sheep, 65 goats. This year there will be a display of 40 pigs, however the current bird flu restrictions have meant the cancellation live poultry shows. There will be one group of waterfowl on site, however, as they are part of a sheep dog demonstration in the main ring.

The Horse Sections report a near record entry of Shires, which will be judged in the main ring. Together with Carriage Driving, in hand and ridden classes for light horses and ponies have three competition rings, in addition to the return of Show Jumping. Good entries are forward with others accepted on the day.

One hundred and fifty-two local business have taken trade stand space with a broad range of agricultural, commercial and craft stalls arranged in a village street format together with a picnic area served by a range of hot & cold food outlets in addition to members catering and a public bar.

Entertainment will be provided throughout the day from a series of Jazz and Swing bands with displays by local dance academies and the Red Barrows in the main ring. The late afternoon will host a Young Farmers tug of war when the local clubs continue their fierce competition which has been going on all year.

For those who are bringing their pets, there is a fun dog show, with entries on the day, and for those who like watching hard work, the Farriers display sees 57 strong men and girls in competition.

The tented area houses the regular competitions between floral arts, horticulture, women's institute, and eggs. Ornua, our local cheese processor, having a marquee of their own which will host two demonstrations of cheese grading, with a chance for anyone to have a go. A spokesperson from the company has reported that a recent competition within the local middle schools has been conducted to design a wrapping for their centenary cheese. The competition was won by Ellie Milward and cheese in the Centenary wrapper will be on sale with proceeds to support the "We love the Moorlands Foundation".

Show Chairman, Eddie Sims, commented: "We are especially grateful for the sponsorship of local businesses, without which we would not be able to provide such a wide range of activities and offer to visitors a good day out at a very reasonable entrance price, with a free courtesy bus from Leek bus station, running all day, to boot. We also thank all those volunteers who have worked so hard over the last six months and those who are helping on the day. It's good to be able to join in with Ornua's centenary celebrations especially as the name Adams Foods runs through the history of Leek Show.

Finally, If you are travelling from the Macclesfield direction please come through Leek, not through Rudyard, which is a narrow approach to the site."