Tockwith Show Church Service

“Let the Church Come to Us” Say Organisers of First Sunday Show for Tockwith

Tockwith Show is to host its very own church service for the first time this year as the event moves from its usual Saturday slot to a Sunday.

The Bishop of Knaresborough, the Right Reverend James Bell, a long time supporter of both the Great Yorkshire Show and Tockwith Show, will lead an ecumenical service on the showground on the morning of the event at 10.30 and said he hoped it would provide an “outstanding” opportunity to bring individuals and families from surrounding communities together to worship.

“It’s going to be a wonderful and very meaningful way to launch an event that attracts thousands of visitors from a wide area,” said Bishop Bell.

“As you would expect, there will be a strong agricultural theme and by good fortune the readings appointed for the day are appropriately about the Bread of Life,” he added.

Tockwith Show chairman Sam Blacker said organisers had felt it was important to provide show visitors and exhibitors with an opportunity to attend church now the show was to be held on a Sunday.

He said local church groups had embraced the idea and the church service at the showground will now replace normal services for the parishes of North Ainsty and Lower Nidderdale for that day.

“As well as worshippers from the Lower Nidderdale and North Ainsty Anglican and Methodist communities we will be welcoming people from all denominations and churches who wish to attend,” he said.

The communion bread is being specially baked by Steve Alger at Ainsty Farm Shop. A collection will be taken during the service which will be donated to the President\’s Charity, Martin House Hospice.

Bishop Bell, pictured here at last year’s Great Yorkshire Show, will bring the church to Tockwith for the village show’s first ever Sunday event.