Richard Holden today chaired a Westminster Hall Debate about county and agricultural shows and their positive impact on North West Durham's economy.
At the debate, Richard opened with the following statement:
"Britain has a long and proud tradition of agricultural and county shows. The 350 shows that take place a year fuel economic activity in rural areas and provide incalculable value to the societies they celebrate. They showcase the very best of farming, which contributes £115 billion a year to the economy.
"The first show in England took place in 1763 in my patch in Wolsingham. Since then, they have become central to the social fabric and economy of the parishes, villages and towns in North West Durham. They have become wildly popular right across modern Britain with over 7 million people attending agricultural shows annually.
"Agricultural and county shows play an important role in halting this decline by helping people reconnect with the farming community by coming face to face with what makes rural Britain rural."