THE show will go on - although in a reduced capacity - when Wasdale Shepherds' Meet is held next weekend.

Like all others, it was cancelled last year due to the pandemic. But the committee recently announced that an event will be held this year.

"It was decided to go ahead with a shepherds meet instead of a full show this year because of the ongoing uncertainty around Covid," said show secretary Mike Naylor.

"The shepherds' meet will take place on Saturday, October 9, on the show field with sheep classes, hound trails and the fell races."

The committee decided to reduce the number of sheep classes for this year, to 15. Judging will commence at 11am.

There will be four hound events, starting from 1pm, and adult and junior fell races. The hound trails and fell races usually attract a crowd, with runners heading up and down Kirkfell.

There will be no entry fee although people can make a donation.

There are also plans for a singing competition in the barn of Mike's sister, Heather Naylor-Lopez.

"We are delighted to confirm that Katy Edgar and her team will once again be supporting us by providing food on the day of the Shepherds' Meet. Katy has always been a huge supporter of our little show, turning up in all weathers and circumstances and we are very grateful," said Mike.

"We wanted to keep public interest up and hope people will be able to join us on the day for a smaller than normal event, for this year only.

"We are all looking forward to the return of a full show again next year."

Hundreds of people flocked to the last show in 2019, which featured Herdwick sheep, dog shows, fell running, and Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling.

Visitors enjoyed a host of classes and activities, including the usual sheep classes, shepherd dogs and vintage machinery.

The show has been running for more than 100 years. It is believed that the Shepherds' Meet started off with farmers from Wasdale meeting the farmers from the adjoining valleys of Ennerdale, Buttermere, Borrowdale, Eskdale and Langdale, who walked their rams over to Wasdale Head to trade them, swap them or hire them.