This week’s meeting of Lithgow Council was told the very future of the show was at risk after a late council demand for the rodeo to be moved from the edge of the number one field at the showground to number three, at the western end of the oval.

And this posed a significant problem as the number three ground is well clear of the line of sight of crowds in and around the grandstand.

Adding to the aggravation for the society was the claim the ban on the use of the area in front of the grandstand had only been issued last Thursday, leaving little time for alternative arrangements.

The rodeo, more specifically a bull ride, has been a highlight of the Saturday night session at the show in recent years, attracting a very big crowd.

But there has been conflict between the society and football bodies using the ground over claims of damage to the playing field.

This came to a head at last year’s show when the sand provided to protect the grass had an unsuspected heavy clay content which set hard after rain and presented major difficulties in removal.

At this week’s meeting of council the Show Society president, Heather Younger, said if the rodeo did not go ahead it could send the society bankrupt.

She said the use of the number three field was impractical as it was too far away from the grandstand for comfortable viewing and safety requirements would not permit patrons to view the spectacle from the grassed area.

Full report in today's Lithgow Mercury