Rural Life at Beamish: 13th to 16th September

Want a break from wedding planning this weekend? From birds of prey and baking to archery and alpacas, Beamish, The Living Museum of the North is recreating a traditional country show this week.

The four-day event, which takes place from Thursday, 13th to Sunday, 16th September, will have everything from livestock, including horses, ducks and geese, to traditional crafts, beekeeping, donkey rides and brass band concerts.

The main marquees will be a hive of activity with demonstrations of traditional crafts including woodworking, clog making, basket making, lace making and quilting. Competition in the industry section is sure to be tough as participants bring their finest crafts and produce – from photographs and hand-tied fishing flies to homemade lemonade, marmalade and their finest baking disaster – to compete for a coveted red rosette.

With the owners' permission, the baking, preserves and beverages will be auctioned off on Sunday, 16th September at 4.30pm, giving visitors the chance to take some tasty treats home with them.

Over the course of the four days, visitors can meet the alpacas, try their hand at archery, take part in the hobbyhorse gymkhana, meet the greyhounds, make hoofagraphs with the pony and so much more.

Paul Foster, Beamish's Historic Events Officer, said: “We're looking forward to a fantastic, action packed four days at the Agricultural Show. With displays and demonstrations ranging from beekeeping and birds of prey to threshing and quilting, there's something for everyone at this celebration of rural life.”

Visitors can watch the Gordon Highlanders' military drill display and tshe thrilling horsemanship of the 16th Lancers Cavalry Unit. There will also be eagle and vulture displays, geese and duck herding, strong men demonstrations and Ferguson tractor talks.

On Thursday and Friday, 13th and 14th September, local schools will be visiting the show, bringing along their horticultural, craft and artwork entries for a competition of their own.

On Saturday, 15th September, there will be music from Darlington Community Wind Band (1pm-3pm) while Lanchester Brass Band will entertain visitors on Sunday, 16th September (1pm-3pm). There is no extra charge for the Agricultural Show, it's included in admission to the museum and is free for Unlimited Pass holders and Friends of Beamish members.

This is the third event in the museum's Great North Festival of Agriculture, a month-long celebration of the region's rural heritage. Still to come are Hands-on Heritage Skills (22nd and 23rd September) and Harvest Home and Harvest Festival (29th and 30th September).

For more information, including events, visit www.beamish.org.uk