For just the second time in its 131 year history the Wingham show – due to be held from Friday, March 24 until Sunday,  March 27 – has been cancelled.

In 2013, the show was cancelled due to severe wet weather. 

This year, the Wingham Show Society says it has had to scrap the event in the interest of the safety and wellbeing of patrons and animals on the Wingham Showground. 

The society said a major area of concern was the grandstand.

They contracted a structural engineer to look over the structure and the report found structural issues with the roof and support poles.

In August 2016 the Wingham Showground Trust was given $20,160 grant by the Public Reserves Management Fund Program for repairs to the grandstand to eliminate work health and safety issues.

Work on the grandstand began approximately two weeks ago and was ongoing.

In addition to safety concerns the society claimed an unexpected substantial increase in costs as further reason for the cancellation.

“These costs were not budgeted for and were placed upon us without any prior consultation by the trust,” Wingham Show Society president Elaine Turner said.

“The decision to cancel our show was not taken lightly and is a huge disappointment and a financial blow to our town and businesses who rely on the additional visitors who spend their time in Wingham.

“The wellbeing of all patrons and animals that would use the showground for our show has been and always will be our priority,” Mrs Turner said.

The committee expressed regret and apologised to all who were inconvenienced by the cancellation.

“We are extremely disappointed to have to make this decision, as there have been 12 months of preparation done by our committee to make our 2017 show a success,” Mrs Turner said.

The dog show will go ahead on Sunday, March 27 at Taree Showground.