£20k invested to improve new showground

Around £20,000 worth of work to improve the new site for Todmorden Agricultural Show is under way ahead of next year's event.
Rob Goldthorpe and Trevor Johnson at the shows new siteRob Goldthorpe and Trevor Johnson at the shows new site
Rob Goldthorpe and Trevor Johnson at the shows new site

The show, organised by Todmorden Agricultural Society, will take place on Saturday, June 17, 2017, on its new showground next to the Ram Inn at Burnley Road, Cliviger, and the society is investing the money to improve what is set to be the event’s home for some years to come.

Show secretary Rob Goldthorpe said groundwork contractor Trevor Johnson had been employed by the society to undertake work to improve an access road including new gates at one end, level a part of the field with some grass seeding to follow, and improve drainage on the site.

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Work began about six weeks ago , and the society believes it is a good investment in the event’s future. It will also bring benefits to those using the site during the rest of each year, for various events and for haymaking.

“We have the first few years for free while we are investing in improving the site, and after that there will be a profit sharing agreement with the site’s owner and tenant,” he said.

Mr Johnson said work was progressing well with the aim of completing it before the weather changes as autumn moves towards winter.

Earlier this year the society took the decision - with regret - to move to the site, which is around five miles from Todmorden town centre and across the Lancashire border, following restrictions placed on use of the traditional Centre Vale Park, Todmorden.

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Acting on advice given in the Environment Agency’s action plan, the council has had to impose restrictions on Centre Vale Park. The society says the size and scope of the show would have been severely restricted.