AS THE heavens opened over the North Show yesterday afternoon it would be a hard-hearted islander who did not feel sympathy for everyone involved in this most traditional of events.

Of course the spectators who had come hoping for a relaxed afternoon in the sun but found themselves huddled under umbrellas are to be both congratulated for their loyalty and consoled for some inevitable disappointment at the weather.

But it is the organisers and the exhibitors for whom most sympathy must be reserved. For many, it was not so much an afternoon in the wet that would have hurt as the weeks and, in many cases, months of preparation and hard work behind it.

The dedication and effort of such exhibitors for a day of fun is to be admired.

For, essentially, it is a selfless act. Hours of drawing up plans and then weeks of putting them into place result in a fleeting moment of pride in the parade ring before the work of art is consigned to a roadside field steadily to lose its lustre.

For the organisers, the shows represent the culmination of endless meetings, ensuring that one of the island’s biggest and best events goes off without a hitch. Each tent peg banged in, every sign, each bulk order for beer and food has to be planned and executed by someone.

Despite the scores of volunteers who give up their time each year to make this happen, all of that cost adds up to a daunting £100,000 bill.

The appalling August weather will have made a sizeable dent in the takings at the entrance on both days to offset those costs and organisers admit that this year could see the show making a loss.

Next year then is crucial.

Nobody, of course, can guarantee the weather, although it does seem the show is overdue a bit of luck.

But what islanders and visitors can guarantee is continuing enthusiasm to support this and all of the shows both as spectators and exhibitors.

No amount of rain can wash that away.