Visitors Flock to Masham

The sheep fair had visitors flocking to Masham to enjoy this wonderful annual event held the last weekend in September. The sun shone on both days and much sheepy fun and games was to be had. Highlights included the sheep show, sheep-racing and the many handicrafts on display.

Even the sheep got to enjoy the brass band in the market square!

The fair does have a serious side though with rosettes and trophies to be awarded. Yorkshire pride is at stake. We watched one owner brushing this very handsome ram prior to judging and misting its woolly coat with water. A true show-stopper!

We returned later to see that the ram named Apache and his fellow companion (pictured in the pen) had won 1st and 2nd place in their category. So well worth the effort, then, boys!

All proceeds from this year's fair will go to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Exceedingly Good!

Kiplin Hall and gardens is a hidden gem but one well worth finding. Tucked away down country lanes between Richmond and Northallerton, it is an absolute oasis of peace and tranquility.

The house, which was built in 1620, is set in lovely grounds with walled gardens, a lake and woodland walks. Both the house and grounds are open to the public Sunday to Wednesday between March and October as well as hosting special events, including at Halloween and Christmas time. There is a small shop and, most importantly, a tea room set in the original oak-panelled hall where portraits of previous owners and royalty look down on you as you eat the delicious homemade fare. Kiplin Hall is to be found just 14 miles from Masham on the B6271. 
For more information visit www.kiplinhall.co.uk

Masham is back on the map

The signs are good for Masham now travellers on the A1 finally know which junction to take for the picturesque market town.

Following the upgrading of the A1, the sign for Masham was not replaced leading to visitors missing the new exit and potentially missing out the town altogether to the dismay of local traders.

The Highways Agency was demanding more than £30,000 to replace the former brown tourist sign so ingenious locals have taken matters into their own hands to create a superb sign reflecting Masham's history and brewing tradition.

The sign was designed by local artist Rob Blades and paid for by local businesses.

Squirrels and cheese are an unlikely combination but they came together in a recent edition of the BBC television's Countryfile programme featuring the Yorkshire Dales. 

Whilst John Craven was following in the footsteps of 12th century monks at Jervaulx Abbey making some famous Wensleydale cheese; Julia Bradbury was spotting squirrels at Snaizedale near Hawes.

The now-ruined Jervaulx Abbey, which is five miles from Masham, was home to an order of Cistercian monks.  It is thought the monks were responsible for producing the very first Wensleydale cheese, so beloved of Wallace and Gromit. The edition of Countryfile, first aired on Sunday February 3rd, shows John helping an artisan cheese maker recreate the original recipe for the cheese in the snowy grounds of the abbey.

Jervaulx Abbey

A view through one of the arched windows

The native red squirrel is a rare site but they are flourishing in a reserve close to Hawes - an hour's drive from Masham. A trail has been created and visitors can spy on the squirrels from a specially-constructed viewpoint in the woods. For more details visit the Yorkshire Dales National Park website. www.yorkshiredales.org.uk

Parkland surrounding Jervaulx Abbey

Yorkshire is a real tour de force in next year's Tour de France. Cyclists from around the world will set off from Leeds before heading into the very heart of the Yorkshire Dales passing through a host of picturesque towns and villages, including Masham, before heading down to London and then onto France where the race begins in earnest.

 “The routes of the Grand Départ will showcase some of Yorkshire’s iconic cycling climbs and the county’s stunning land and cityscapes. The peloton will be technically tested as they tackle some challenging terrain in what are sure to be two exhilarating days of racing in the county, " said a proud Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive Gary Verity.

Masham features in the first stage of the prestigious sporting event. The peloton will also pass through the nearby towns and villages of Leyburn, Middleham, East Witton and West Tanfield, en route for Ripon, before finishing the day's racing in the spa town of Harrogate.

The Grand Depart, as it is known, is to take place over the weekend of July 5th and 6th 2014. The first stage, which includes Masham, covers some 190km with the second stage from York to Sheffield sees riders notching up a further 200km.

For more information visit letour.yorkshire.com