It's been a hugely busy weekend, with work starting on alterations to the Broughton Hall studios on Saturday morning, me at Ribblehead and Julian at Richmond Swimming Pool on Sunday. Saturday was the better day weather wise; in fact Sunday was pretty appalling really, as we had to walk the length of the Ribblehead viaduct and conduct several interviews in the pouring rain. It might not sound very far - crossing Yorkshire's most famous viaduct - but the total distance was around two miles. 
I wasn't particularly suitably dressed, having put on jeans, waxed jacket and wide-brimmed leather hat, but my companions on the walk, Tom Lister (Carl King on Emmerdale) and ITV weather man Jon Mitchell had obviously put more thought into
their attire. Jon in particular was dressed in waterproofs from head to toe, I guess having had inside information! Another little secret I can let you into is that Jon has a personalised, weather-related number plate - I wonder if you can guess what it includes?!Jon Mitchell (left above) and Tom Lister (right)I met up with Tony Doveston of the Yorkshire air Ambulance, who told me - despite the lousy weather conditions - he was hoping the helicopter would fly in for the event - and it made it! The cloud base was obviously very low and there was driving rain, but the aircraft flew in virtually on time. We reckon somewhere approaching 4,000 people turned up to take part in what will be the final chance to walk over the viaduct for many years, which was simply staggering. Money raised from the event will benefit (amongst others) the Cave Rescue Organisation, the Air Ambulance and the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Railway. Other people I met on the day included old friends Keith and Linda, who reminded me the last time I met up with them was around seven years ago at Pateley Show, Ruth Annison of the Wensleydale Railway, and lots of the guys from Appleby Rotary who were doing a fantastic job of marshaling traffic. I was delighted to have been invited along for the day, and I must thank Keith Lumley of Network Rail for organising my visit. I'll find out how Julian got on in the warmth of Richmond Pool in the morning!
I never tire of the Great Yorkshire Show; it's one of those institutions from our region that seems to go from strength to strength. Despite the recession this year's event has so far been largely upbeat and reasonably optimistic. Show director Bill Cowling told us that the farming industry is ahead of UK business in general with regards to the recession, and that there is light at the end of the tunnel. There was the occasional bit of bad news though - one farmer told us how her fleeces were worth around 70p, and yet at best it was costing 75p to shear. What happened to the brilliant ideas proposed not too long ago? Sheep wool would replace fibreglass in household insulation; it's the product of the future! Somebody needs to seriously get their finger out and make it happen!
But all in all Julian, myself and the team had a great day out at the show, with lots of live inserts into our programs back in Skipton, on Steve Joy and Dave Metcalfe's programmes. It all worked very well technically too, so thanks must go the the YAS for the excellent facilities they provided for us, and to all who agreed to be interviewed. 
They included Sir Ken Morrison who was great, as was Henry Aubrey-Fletcher from the CLA, who talked about the problems people in rural areas face when it comes to getting a decent Broadband connection.
Special thanks must go to Julian and Tiiu though - at one stage I lost my camera and the two of them scoured the showground to find it - and they did! Also to the people at the Rydale stand who looked after the camera; that's where I'd left it! It's Jason's turn at the show tomorrow; he's got far more stamina than me, so hopefully he'll turn up with some more great stuff from one of the best shows in the country.
I'm having a week off work in a bid to finally finish the kitchen - a job that's been underway since March! Sunday we headed up Nidderdale for Dacre Fun Day, an event I've compere'd for the last three years. This, however, was the first year without rain - and it was great fun! We had local group Rosie on stage, and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed their performances, at least some of which were a little tongue in cheek! Lots on offer elsewhere on the field, including a karate display, dogs display, and a fantastic barbecue. All the money raised is to go towards a new, much needed pavilion. Julian and Tim were kept busy in Skipton, for Sheep Day, which this year was probably one of the most ambitious so far, with special guest of honour on the day Shaun the Sheep!
I wasn't particularly suitably dressed, having put on jeans, waxed jacket and wide-brimmed leather hat, but my companions on the walk, Tom Lister (Carl King on Emmerdale) and ITV weather man Jon Mitchell had obviously put more thought into
their attire. Jon in particular was dressed in waterproofs from head to toe, I guess having had inside information! Another little secret I can let you into is that Jon has a personalised, weather-related number plate - I wonder if you can guess what it includes?!
