The Drovers Return - It just gets better ! !
What a fantastic day! Sunday 29th June 2025 saw Wetherby celebrating its annual ‘Drovers’ Day’ remembering the times when, for over 200 years, tens of thousands of cattle were walked by drovers from Scotland to markets in the south via Wetherby and its crossing of the river Wharfe.
The sun shone and the crowds, a thousand strong or more, were entertained by 20 brass bands from the north of England who marched and played through the town for over four hours, competing in ‘The Drovers’ Brass Band Hymn and Marching Contest’. The Scottish connection was maintained by the City of York Pipe Band who finished the day off with rousing Scottish airs and, with the crowd raising a glass of ‘Drovers Return’ Ale which was ‘on tap’ at one of the two stages at Wetherby bandstand, the day was all but complete.
An indoor and outdoor market with street musical entertainers also provided a variety of entertainment for all.
The day was rounded off by an evening event which included a ‘Feast of Folk’ with three folk bands entertaining the crowd at the local ‘Engine Shed’ concert venue.The Wetherby Bandstand Trust and Wetherby District Lions work together to bring this day to Wetherby and they are wonderfully supported by the public; local businesses; Leeds City Council; Wetherby Town Council and Geneva Instruments who provide superb prizes.
Get next year’s date in your diary now Sunday 14th June 2026