RICKERBY’S Spring Show in March marks the start of a big year for the business which is celebrating its 140th anniversary.

The popular machinery show, at Rickerby’s Currock Road branch in Carlisle on Wednesday, March 4, and Thursday, March 5, is in its 19th year and will feature around 70 exhibitors, all under cover.

On show will be some franchises new to Rickerby’s this year, including the time-saving Bale Boss bedders, and Claydon direct seed drills, which can be used direct into stubble or cultivated soils.

New products on show from Claas include the latest Jaguar Foragers, the 900 series tracked tractors, the new Axion Tier 5 tractor, the wide body Scorpion 746 telehandler range and the latest Lexion Combine. New weeders from Lemken Steketee will also be on display. Trade stands from other suppliers to the sector will also be at the show.

Around 4,000 visitors are expected on both of the two days, with free buses running from Rickerby’s Alnwick and Bowburn bases to the Carlisle show. The buses, on the Wednesday, leave Alnwick at 1pm and Bowburn at 2pm.

Rickerby’s 140th anniversary will be marked with a special edition show magazine, covering the history of the dealership down the years. It is remarkable in that the Rickerby family has remained running the business right down the years, with the fourth generation working alongside their expert management team.

The business was founded by Joseph Rickerby, who acquired a small firm of engineers in Carlisle and set out to design, patent and manufacture his own farm machinery. His foresight about the growth of mechanisation for farming proved well-founded and, over the years the company has grown to include branches in Penrith, Hexham, Alnwick, Cornhill on Tweed, Bowburn, Carnforth, Castle Douglas and Dunbar, making it one of the largest agricultural dealerships in the UK. There are plans in the pipeline for a brand new dealership in south-west Lancashire.

To mark the anniversary, various franchises will be offering a selection of special edition machines.

East Coast Sales Director Colin Potts said: “We are lucky enough to have a tremendous history to build upon in 2020 and we plan to continue to provide not only marketing-leading machinery but also the first class service which has helped make the business such a success over the years.

“The show is a great opportunity to come and speak to us and the manufacturers to find out more about how we can work together to meet your needs and, as always, we have made sure there are some great bargains to be had.”

The first Rickerby show was held in 2002 to help revitalise the farming sector after so many across Cumbria, Lancashire, Northumberland, Durham and southern Scotland had experienced great hardships during the foot and mouth disease outbreak and the event has since become an annual get-together for many attendees.

The show opens at noon and closes at 10pm on both days and visitors can enjoy free tea and coffee, soup and rolls.