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Drovers Day celebration returns to Wetherby next month

Thursday, 23 May 2024 10:37

By Esmee Howie

The brass band marching contest in Wetherby.

A brass band marching contest will be taking place in Wetherby next month as part of 'Drovers Day'.

The event, which is returning for a second year, will be held on Sunday 9th June.

It marks the importance of this cultural history of Wetherby using music and a full range of arts and craft in the market square.

It will start at 11am and there will be an opening speech by the Mayor Dawn Payne, followed by music by Streetlife, Strolling Bones and Emma.

Music will be played throughout the event with a variety of genres.

One of the organisers Kazia Knight said:

“The Wetherby Lions and the Wetherby Bandstand organisation see this event going from strength to strength and building on the great event held in 2023.

"It was a wonderful day for people in Wetherby and attracted many to the town to see the bands and the events taking place.

"We are really looking forward to seeing what we can achieve in 2024."

The celebrations marks the time when, for over 150 years, huge numbers of animals were reared in Scotland and then driven to markets in the South of England.

Wetherby’s position on the Great North Road, its ford and bridge, made it an important crossing point, market and stopover for Drovers and their animals.

The trade resulting from Droving helped build the town and its facilities.

The Drover’s dilemma was whether to pay to use the safe crossing on the bridge or risk fording the River Wharfe.

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