T HE organisers of Leek Show certainly could not have wished for better weather. With record crowds and far better entries in most classes than we could have hoped for, it was just one of those perfect days. Sitting in the commentary box looking over the magnificent Birchall playing fields, I couldn't help but reflect just how lucky we are in a small town like Leek to have one of the best show grounds in the whole country.

I know there is always pressure from the local council to cash in on this 40-acre site but you just can't put a price on this wonderful facility.

Shire horse judge Lou Harrison from Preston, who has judged shires at most of the national agricultural shows, hit the nail on the head by saying he couldn't think of anywhere else that was better equipped to put on a show. He was also impressed that Leek had resisted the present trend of turning them into mammoth car boot sales.

The Leek Show committee need complimenting on the way in which the show has developed over the years.

In the livestock section numbers were slightly less than usual but still good, bearing in mind the blue tongue restrictions limiting entries from quite a large number of regular visitors. Though there were fewer animals everyone agreed that quality made up for quantity, and the supreme champion went to John Stubbs, from Ashbourne, with his Coldeaton jersey.

As I keep Simmental cattle myself I was more than pleased to see them pick up the champion beef prize. We mustn't underestimate the work that cattle section chairman Brian Goodwin and chief steward Brian Warrington do to keep Leek on the map.

As for the shire horse classes, once again I must congratulate chief stewards Mrs S Smith and Mrs C Turner for the work they do in making Leek one of the premier shire horse shows. There could be no more worthy supreme champion than the Fountain family from Marston Montgomery with their brood mare.

I thought the main ring attractions this year were entertaining and I was particularly proud to see the parade of two packs of hounds. The Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire beagles shown by joint master Gerald DeVille and the Moorland fox hounds proudly presented to us by the only female fox hunting 'huntsperson' in the UK Mrs Elaine Barker, assisted by local farmer Charlie Prince who whips in the hounds. One of the hounds had been shown last week at the Great Yorkshire Show and picked up a creditable top rosette out of a class of 26. There were literally scores of youngsters, along with their mums and dads, who came into the ring to meet the hounds and, even though hunting was banned two years ago, the popularity of hunting seems to go from strength to strength. I am reliably informed by members of the hunting fraternity that there are now more subscribers to hunts than ever before.

For me the highlight of any show has to be the grand parade and it was a real pleasure for me doing the commentary having our two lady political leaders presenting the trophies. Charlotte Atkins, our current MP, handing out cups to the shire horse classes and Karen Bradley, who will be representing the Conservative party at the next election, doing the honours in the cattle section.

If I must be perfectly honest with you all when it comes to an election, which will happen in the next couple of years, I actually feel it will be a shame if either of them lose.

Enough about Leek Show as I must now move on to the other great event that is taking place this weekend, also in the Staffordshire Moorlands, and that is the English National Sheepdog Trials near to Ilam. It is hoped that upwards of 25,000 people will flock to Blore pastures for the three day event.

Bill Carr, chairman of Dovedale Sheepdog Trials, assures me that over the three days this televised event will put the Staffordshire Moorlands on the national trialing map.

Other than the sheepdogs there are lots of trade stands, ample catering facilities and good car parking. With a £5 entry fee I feel sure that we are all going to have a lot of fun and pleasure.

Ben Kidd reminded me at Leek Show, when I was informing visitors as to the forthcoming event, that the last time the nationals were held in Staffordshire 30 years ago was on the Birchall showground.

With a good local entry I wouldn't be at all surprised if one of our local trialists rises to the top.

Today, Wednesday, marks the first day of another very popular event in the showing world as it is the annual Bakewell Show held over two days, today and tomorrow.

I know it is popular with many readers and for those who haven't previously visited the show it's certainly a good day out.