SKIPTON Sheep Day was back in town today (Sunday) after a three year forced absence.

The sun shone and thousands flocked to the high street to see a whole range of sheep-related attractions which last took place in 2019.

The pandemic had thwarted the popular event last year and in 2020 and by the number of people who attended it was clear it had been missed.

One of the most popular attractions was the shearing demonstration with a running commentary on the history of the sheep on stage and the reason they are relinquished of their woolly jackets each summer. There was a huge crowd listening to the demo and they were able to meet the stars of the show afterwards

Enjoying the atmosphere in equal measure was Skipton Town Mayor Councillor Richard Judge and his Deputy Mayor, Councillor Sheila Bentley.

The two dignitaries had been round all the stalls and attractions from its opening at 10am.

“It has really been super, said Cllr Bentley. “We have managed to get around to speak to all the stallholders to welcome them here. It has been so busy with a lot of visitors.”

Cllr Judge added: “We have been so lucky with the weather. The sun has made all the difference and it has been good to see whole families enjoying the day.”

The two showed their sporting side as they sat astride two fibreglass sheep which were a magnet for youngsters whose parents took the chance for photo opportunities.

The sheep first made an appearance in 2010 when 25 of them were placed around town as part of a Skipton BID (business improvement district) initiative. The larger-than-life characters were hailed a success.

The event on Sunday will have provided a much-needed boost to the town and pubs, with the added bonus of the street being closed to traffic for the day.

Stalls stretched from one end to the other with Rombalds Radio providing live music at the bottom end and a children’s fairground offering rides for youngsters at the top.

Attractions included two giant Swaledale sheep puppets which had one youngster, three-year-old Ruby-Mae Lockwood, from Silsden, squealing with delight.

The group had brought four puppets along, one of them a fox, and said they had attended the town in the past as part of Skipton Puppet Festival.

Haworth Home Guard Re-enactment Group attended with a couple of Jeeps on the cobbles while Nick Carter-Barnes of Owl Adventures, falconry and mobile zoo provided the 'ahh' factor with a number of owls which people could hold. A popular one was Dusty, a three-year-old female barn owl which had been brought to them and was nursed back to perfect health. A little own was also popular among the children who rarely saw one close up.

There were plenty of live animals for people to pet, ranging from not only sheep and lambs, but also calves, ferrets, goats and goslings.

The ferrets showed their enthusiasm for the event by curling up asleep in their bedding for much of the day

There was a constant crowd around Ian's Mobile Farm where visitors were able to pet and brush a pair of donkeys he had brought along.

Members of the Yarndale group which holds a yearly exhibition of everything connected to wool at the auction mart, had a stall with members spinning wool and crafting items from the yarn.

Those wanting food were not disappointed with venison and wild boar burgers proving popular judging by the length of the queues. Elsewhere tasty hotdogs and cheese toasties were on sale alongside sweet treats including brownies and donuts.

A 1940s dance group swayed and jived along to music and dressed in clothes of the era in the presence of a vintage car with a number of audience members joining in the fun on occasion.

Continuing the bygone theme was a display of vintage tractors near Caroline Square which proved a talking point for visitors; their owners being more than happy to chat about their history.

There were also stalls selling Indian treats and others offering bags of candy with others selling homemade cakes and jams.

Festivities went on until 4pm with a good flow of visitors all day.