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11
Jul 2023
As it happened: Day 1 at the Great Yorkshire Show
The Stray Ferret is running a live blog from the Great Yorkshire Show, brought to you by Harrogate BID.
Keep checking back for the latest stories and pictures from the showground throughout the event.
The 164th Great Yorkshire Show began at 8am this morning and a total of 140,000 people are expected to pass through the gates of the showground over the next four days.
Here's what happened during an opening day that included visits from the farming minister and the Duke of Gloucester.
5.22pm: Big queues as cars start to leave
The first day of the show is in its final hour. It's been a successful start, marred only by a couple of short but fierce downpours and the inevitable traffic problems.
We will publish a round-up of news from day one shortly. In the meantime, here's a picture to brighten every teatime — a hall full of cheeses.
4:39pm: Harrogate man sold rare horse to emperor of Japan
Cleveland Bay breeder Steven Pullan has one of the most unusual claims to fame of anyone at the show.
Steven, who lives at Braithwaite, near Dacre in Nidderdale, has sold horses to the Pakistan government and the emperor of Japan over the years.
The Cleveland Bay, which originated in Yorkshire, is the oldest horse breed in England. But it was recently close to extinction with fewer than 300 mares worldwide.
Steven won the Cuddy class at the show in 2014, with a Cleveland described as “the greatest of all time”.
The Cleveland Bay Horse Society, whose patron was the late Queen Elizabeth II, uses the Great Yorkshire Show as an opportunity to promote the breed in the hope of increasing the population.
Steven’s son, Jamie, said winning a Great Yorkshire Show class with a Cleveland Bay was “the equivalent of winning the FA Cup”.
Steven was not competing this year, but is at the show to cheer on the Cleveland Bays.
Competing Cleveland Bays
4.05pm: Harrogate BID bangs the drum for business
Another organisation with an uncertain future until recently was Harrogate Business Improvement District.
The group, which charges Harrogate town centre businesses a levy that it spends on schemes to encourage more shoppers, is approaching the end of its first five-year term.
Businesses were balloted last month on whether they wanted to continue funding the BID — and a resounding 76% voted 'yes'.
It means the BID will exist until at least the end of 2028, and chief executive Matthew Chapman and his team are promoting what they can do for businesses at the show.
3.39pm: Black Sheep bar back
The Black Sheep Bar has been a big part of the show for years.
But its continuation looked uncertain when the Masham-based Black Sheep Brewery went into administration in May.
London investment firm Breal Capital brought the firm back from the brink in a deal later that month.
It continues to trade, much to the delight of show-goers. Fellow Masham brewery T & R Theakston also has a stand here.
2.44pm: Pateley Bridge prize cows
Pateley Bridge cattle farmers Chris and Caroline Prince have cleaned up with three rosettes this morning.
Their three Long Horn beef cows placed third, fourth, and sixth on the first day of the show.
The Prince family described the annual show as “a real family affair” and will be camping on-site until the end of the week.
The cows will be competing in a young breeders’ competition later this week.
Ms Prince said:
2.26pm: Resurrection Bikes promotes cycling
Volunteers from Harrogate's Resurrection Bikes, which saves old bikes from the scrapyard by doing them up and selling them to raise money for charities, is among the local good causes exhibiting today.
It is challenging passers-by to see how far and fast they can pedal on two if its recycled bikes.
Cycling is definitely the quickest way to get around Harrogate during show week.
1.58pm: Downpour!
This morning's kind weather has given way to an almighty downpour. Rain is forecast on and off this afternoon until later on.
1.38pm: Extra day means more space to move
The Yorkshire Agricultural Society turned the traditional three-day show into a four-day affair during covid, limited the attendance and made the event all ticket.
The changes were introduced to comply with social distancing measures but have been retained since.
It has certainly made walking around easier — the photo above was taken alongside the main ring, where it used to be very difficult to get around at peak times.
The society planned to introduce an app this year to help visitors get around but it was not ready on time.
12.48pm: Ripon Farm Services' boss prepares for royal visit
Geoff Brown (centre)
It wouldn't be the Great Yorkshire Show without Geoff Brown, managing director of Ripon Farm Services, or as he is now known Geoff Brown MBE.
We bumped into Geoff while he was waiting to meet the Duke of Gloucester. Will Paxton and Paul Russell, who run rival agricultural machinery firms Paxtons and Russells, were also waiting to meet the duke when we pounced for this photo.
Ripon Farm Services has three pitches at the show, close to the main ring, cementing its reputation as the main exhibitor.
12.09pm: Local businesses on show
There is a strong Harrogate contingency at the show, including regular stall-holder Tim Yarrow.
Tim, who played a key role managing the vaccine rollout here at the showground, owns local scuba diving company Dive Shack and regularly takes divers on trips abroad. He is seen here modelling one of his face masks.
10.24am: Farming minister launches new dairy farming regulations
Mr Spencer answering questions at today's media briefing.
Farming minister Mark Spencer is at the show today to announce new dairy farming regulations, which he says will "promote fairness, transparency and accountability across the dairy supply chain".
The regulations have been introduced in response to concerns dairy farmers are not getting a fair price for milk.
Mr Spencer said:
At a media briefing this morning, the Stray Ferret asked Mr Spencer what specific differences the regulations will mean to farmers. He said they could more confidently challenge cases of perceived unfairness with suppliers.
9.28am: Countryfile presenter Adam Henson is here
Countryfile presenter Adam Henson is one of many celebrities here over the next few days. You can catch a short interview with him on our Facebook page.
Adam insisted on having his photo taken with Stray Ferret commercial director Emma Harris. Or maybe it was the other way round...
8.35 Traffic starting to build
There's heavy traffic on Otley Road approaching Harrogate. It's a main route for traffic coming to show from the west.
Traffic is also very slow on, Leadhall Lane, Hookstone Road and on Oatlands Drive close to the show ground as show traffic combines with the school drop off.
Oatlands Drive
8.25am: Dry until the afternoon?
The Met Office is forecasting there is the chance of a shower this afternoon and perhaps more persistent rain in the afternoon.
Ever since the washout of 2012 the show has mainly been blessed by good weather and although it might not be as warm this year it is still pleasant for walking around.
7.50am: Traffic building up
Traffic measures are in place throughout the week in the area around the showground. Remember, Wetherby Road is inbound to Harrogate only.
You can read full details of the measures here.
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