Preparations for Honley Show, now in its 95th year, are well under way.

In the next few days marquees will appear at the showground, Ivy Farm in Farnley Tyas, and by the day of the show, next Saturday, June 11, all will be ready for an expected 15,000 visitors.

Honley is the Huddersfield area’s largest agricultural show and the first each summer.

It promises everything from equestrian displays and birds of prey to brass bands, Punch and Judy, dog agility shows, rabbit jumping and handicrafts.

This year the main ring will also boast daredevil feats by the Stannage International Stunt Team (between 10.30am and 2.45pm), axe throwing demonstrations and a Power Hooping display.

Jack Challonner of Halifax from The Edge Motorcycle Stunt Team entertains the crowd. Honley Show 13/06/15 (Pic by John Rushworth)

But, says show chairman Sheila Turner, it is the animals who are the real stars.

“The entertainment is a lovely part of the day, but for most families being able to get up close to the animals – the sheep, goats, cattle and pigs – is the best thing about the show,” she explained.

“It’s something that many people don’t have the chance to do anywhere else.”

Lleyton and Liley Clough of Bradford makes friends with a goat Honley Show 13/06/15 (Pic by John Rushworth)

Sheila, who has been involved with the show for two decades, is one of more than 100 committee members and helpers who will be out in force on the day to ensure all goes to plan.

The only thing they can’t control, however, is the weather.

But, as Sheila points out, visitors shouldn’t be deterred if the sun doesn’t shine.

“Even with all the effort the volunteers put into it, what decides the success of the show is often the weather,” she said.

“Last year it rained in the morning, which put people off, then the sun came out and the afternoon was lovely. But we didn’t get the turn-out we wanted.

“With our climate, you’ve got to be prepared. Put on your wellies if it rains and come along anyway.”

Poor weather caused the 2012 event to be cancelled at 6am on the morning of the show itself, but with shows costing around £70,000 to stage this is always a last resort.

Sheila explained: “Some years we make a profit and we need that to have money in reserve because last year we didn’t make a profit because of the weather and the year before we only broke even. We need a lot of people to come to the show to make money.”

Honley Show on their show fields at Farnley Moor. Show members got a grandstand view of the main arena from the patio of their tent.

The aim is for this year’s show to be profitable enough to make a donation to the Macmillan Cancer Support charity.

Honley Show began in 1921 and has run annually with only a few breaks for WWII, foot and mouth epidemics and extreme weather. In 2000, in order to make the organisation of the show simpler, it moved from the traditional showground on Bradshaw Road to the new site in Farnley Tyas.

Graham Copley of Wakefield with his 5 Golden Retrivers and 1 Curly Coated Retriver Honley Show 13/06/15 (Pic by John Rushworth)

For Honley residents, free buses will operate from Moor Bottom in Honley Village to the showground from 9am.

The last bus back to Honley will leave at 6pm.

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Those driving to the showground will find signposting from the A629 at Kirkburton and there is free parking around the perimeter of the site.

Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for children on the day.

Book in advance on the website www.honleyshow.co.uk for a discount.