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Bakewell Show: Competition hit by TB alert
Bakewell Show bosses have voiced their frustration after a last-minute health warning hit the livestock competitions.
Organisers had previously spoken of their relief after a county-wide vaccination programme dispelled fears over bluetongue.
But they were forced to cancel the goats section after it was revealed some animals scheduled to enter had been in contact with a TB-infected herd in Wales.
Chief steward Charles Mycock said: "We only found out about the goat issue at the start of the week. We had to ring all the breeders and tell them not to come and people were disappointed.
"It's very frustrating but there was nothing we could do and we took the decision to cancel the class because we really didn't want to risk any spread.
"But we're glad all the other categories are here and the entries are more or less up to normal for the cattle and sheep which's good," Mr Mycock added.
Farmers and organisers had been worried restrictions to prevent potential spread of bluetongue – which causes head-swelling in cattle, goats and sheep – would mean the show would be much smaller this year.
But Derbyshire was declared a bluetongue vaccination zone earlier this month and the threat of the disease had only a limited affect on numbers.
Mr Mycock said: "Other shows have suffered because of the restrictions.
"Bluetongue is a very nasty disease and we were pleased when the county became part of the action zones."
Dorothy Wain, from Home Farm in Ible, had been unable to bring her champion Highland cow Blondie to other competitions because of the restrictions, but was pleased to be back at Bakewell.
Ms Wain said: "Bluetongue was definitely a worry for us all – we haven't been able to go to travel. We've been coming here seven or eight years and I'm glad the competition's as big as it is this year.
"Blondie's the breed champion and it does make you feel very proud bringing her back," she added.
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Weather for Bakewell
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -3 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 2 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: West
