How family-run Eastrington Show punches well above its weight

Pam White is the show’s cattle secretary and together with sons Phillip, Ollie and Christian and their respective wives they put on a show of cattle that punches well above its weight for the show’s size.

“We are all involved with Eastrington Show,” says Pam. “My husband Andrew, who passed away in August 2018, loved the show. Andrew’s father Johnson White was chairman and Ollie said he’s seen an old poster in the Black Swan, our local pub, that Cecil White, his great grandfather was also chairman.

“Johnson used to do the sheep, but we’ve always done the cattle. We revamped the cattle side, which was a bit dwindling, when we got into showing about fifteen years ago and the way we run it is so easy going that many of our exhibitors class it as one of the friendliest cattle shows they come to.

“In the past we have also shown our own cattle and we’ve had champion but last year and again this year we just haven’t had the time to train the animals.

The number of cattle entries the Whites succeed in attracting, in what is wholly about commercial cattle being shown, is quite remarkable for what is still largely a village show that originally came about through the get together of the Annual Amateur Athletics Sports in association with Eastrington Feast in 1892.

Ollie, who assists Pam in managing the cattle show, says they were all a little concerned about how things would turn out when the show came back after the easing of Covid restrictions, but that they had been pleasantly surprised with the response from exhibitors when the show returned.

“We were a bit sceptical about whether exhibitors were going to come back but last year was a really good turnout. It’s the best show of cattle I can remember, for quality over quantity.

“In total we had about 35 cattle. We usually have at least four or five entries in each class, which makes them all competitive. At a lot of shows there is a lot of money being spent on the animals that are to take part and sometimes that can take the fun out of it.

“At Eastrington we just like to have a really good show of cattle that is competitive and serious, but also relaxed and fun at same time. We put a buffet on for everyone taking part with food and drinks afterwards. It’s about a really good, social time for everyone.

“We have all the local commercial cattle men and women like the Wilkinsons, Parkins, David Hall, Andrew Scarborough, Simon & Mike Everett from Barmby, George Raper, the Sutcliffes of Bluebell Farm up at Malton. They’re all in a 35 mile radius.

“Sometimes, if showmen and women have cattle destined for the bigger shows like the Lincolnshire and the Great Yorkshire they will often bring them here for a run out, getting to see how each beast is going to behave. We always encourage new people.

“Pam looks after the judge. We take whoever the judge is, plus their partner, to lunch. All of our wives help. My wife helps with the produce in the morning and then comes to us in the afternoon.

Pam says in all good humour that it would be frowned upon if someone was missing, and that part of their relaxed approach to the day beforehand is shown in taking entries on the day.

“I like to get all of the entry numbers sorted, but we as farmers ourselves, know that life doesn’t always work that way. We are more concerned about everyone enjoying themselves and being able to get here rather than whether they’ve let us know before, although I usually try to get entries in by the Wednesday of show week.

“I’ll still get someone ring and say they’ve got four beasts, that they are bringing them but haven’t entered them. I just say that’s fine and can allocate the numbers. It’s that easy.

While you won’t see any pedigree cattle breeds at Eastrington, Pam points out that what you will see is what is the business end of the beef game.

“It’s the commercial cattle that provide the meat that’s going on to your table. Yes, we know progeny and pedigree is important in order for that cycle, but you have to work together. We’ve had offers of pedigree breeders wanting to come but there have not been enough of them, and around here there are a lot more commercial cattle men and women.

“What you will see is a good show of cattle that meet what the butchers demand is. Some butchers prefer a smaller thing, some like big ones and that’s the same with judges. Our judge this year is respected cattleman Ken Jackson from Walden Stubbs. Ken has shown here in the past. We had renowned butcher Phil Parkin from Howden as commentator last year. We hope he’ll be doing it again. He’s very good.

The cattle classes start at 1 o’clock and judging normally takes up until about 3.30. It’s buffet time after that and there’s the whole of the rest of the show to see.

“Last year the show was as busy as I’ve ever seen it,” says Ollie.

For entries contact: Pam 07712 610539