The Farmers Mart Aug/Sep 2015 - Issue 41 | Page 31

Events

Great
Yorkshire
Success!

Sunshine, royal visitors, celebrities
and the best of British farming
combined to make the 157th Great
Yorkshire Show a spectacular event.
»»As the gates closed on
England’s premier agricultural
show, a new era began as
show director Charles Mills
took over the reins from Bill
Cowling after a decade in the
role. A total of 132,131 people
came through the gates, an
increase on last year’s figure of
130,989.
Visitors to the show were
thrilled to see HRH the Prince
of Wales and HRH the Duchess
of Cornwall tour the event on
the opening day, while crowds
packed the showground at
Harrogate to see the stars of
television’s Blue Peter and The
One Show try their hands at
a host of activities around the
site.
On his first day in the new
role, Show Director Charles
Mills said: “The Great Yorkshire
Show has an amazing
reputation as a superb industry
showcase, as well as a fun
and educational day out for
all the family. Our vital role in
celebrating farming excellence
will continue, and the presence
of our Royal patron underlines

the significance of the Great
Yorkshire Show to the rural
community and beyond.”
Fast and furious action was
provided in the Main Ring
by the Shetland Pony Grand
National while there was
plenty of fun for all with the
hilarious One Man and His Pig
competition.
In the competitive classes
records were broken before the
event began, with all- time high
entries in six of the 24 sections,
including in sheep and pigs.
The climax of three days of
top class showjumping came
with the final minutes of the
Ripon Select Foods Cock o’the
North championship which
saw Douglas Duffin take the
prestigious trophy after a
four-way jump off against the
clock.
Preparations are already
underway for the Society’s
autumn event, Countryside Live
which takes place on Saturday
17 and Sunday 18 October.
The 158th Great Yorkshire
Show runs from Tuesday 12 –
Thursday 14 July, 2016.

Charles Mills (left) with former show director, Bill Cowling

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