The axemen cometh

The Mid-Wales Axe Racing Group will show off its lightening-fast chainsaw and axe skills

SADDLEWORTH’S summer show has escaped the axe and is back with a thrilling line-up of attractions.

Having narrowly avoided the closure of Churchill playing fields, organisers have booked an impressive group of racing axemen to headline the fundraising festival.

The Mid Wales Axe Racing group will show of their lightening-fast chainsaw and axe skills to wow the crowd, hoped to be more than 8,000-strong.

Show chairman David Wright, of Oldham Metro Rotary Club, said: “We hope it is going to be bigger and better than any previous years.

“From the first meeting it looked like there was no chance of it going ahead with the closure of Churchill playing fields. But because the fields aren’t being closed until the end of June, we’re back in business. It was such a relief.

“Now we want to smash the record crowd, we have hit the 7,000 mark a few times but we want to go higher.”

Showgoers will go quackers for the joint headline act of duck herding, while BMX trials will make up the three top attractions at the event on Sunday, June 12.

Families will be catching the summer buzz with bee-keeping demonstrations, while also new for this year is sheep shearing and climbing walls.

The amazing flying display by the Malhamdale Falconry will return once again and a fell scramble will be organised by the Saddleworth Runners.

David added: “This year we have three headline acts and there will be more interactive attractions. We’re thrilled that it can go ahead in Greenfield.”

The show’s main sponsors are Veolia Environmental, Tesco and the Oldham Evening Chronicle.