THE first female chief executive of Westmorland County Agricultural Society says the organisation faces a challenging future, reports Jim Smith.

Christine Knipe stepped into the shoes of outgoing chief executive Rodger Read at the society's annual meeting at Lane Farm, Crooklands, on Saturday.

She is no stranger to the society, having been treasurer for the past three years and been a member of the management committee since 1987.

The farmer's daughter was previously office and accounts manager for former printing firm Frank Peters of Gatebeck.

Her husband, David, who is the society's publicity officer, is a dairyman who also has a small-holding.

Mrs Knipe said following Mr Read and his predecessor, the late Chris Lambert, was a "daunting task" but she was keen to take up the challenge.

Speaking after the meeting, Mrs Knipe told The Westmorland Gazette that one of the first issues she would be looking at was whether the Westmorland County Show should be spread over two days instead of the traditional single day.

Given the rising cost of staging the county show - £138,000 last year compared with £122,000 in 2003 some have called for a two-day show.

But Mrs Knipe said it was doubtful whether all the large army of volunteers who helped to organise and run the show could be expected to give up two days of their time.

At the annual meeting, Mr Read reflected on his time at the helm, which had seen the society enjoy its bicentenary and overcome its wettest-ever show day as well as the fuel crisis and foot-and-mouth.

He said there was much more to the society than organising a one-day show: it offered wide-ranging training for farmers; had secured grants from the EU, Defra and Rural Regeneration Cumbria totalling nearly £250,000; and supported farmers' markets.

More events were being held on the showfield, including the Lakeland Rose Show, dog shows and even a boat show in the future. The showfield had been increased in size by almost one-third, while the food hall was now one of the largest in the North West.

The society had added pigs and dogs to the county show's itinerary, while sheep and cattle entries were holding their own.

Increasing numbers of schoolchildren from South Lakeland were also attending the county show, added Mr Read.

Last year's show made a profit of more than £17,000 - compared with £1,232 in 2003 and a £35,000 loss in 2002 and this had been achieved without raising entrance and trade stand fees, society members heard.

Overall, however, the society suffered a deficit of nearly £35,000 in the year ending on October 31, 2004, compared with £9,000 in the previous year.

Outgoing president Tony Duckett, who was made a life member of the society, said it was a wonderful organisation that staged a "tremendous" one-day show.

Retired vet Georg e Procter was named as the new president. The captain of Carus Green golf club was born on the farm where the county show was once held in Kendal and said he was still in nappies when he paid his first visit to the event.

Well-known solicitor Len Hayton was named president-elect.

Other appointments: James Dixon, chairman; Judith Buckley, vice chairman; and Stephen Procter, showfield director.