In this article, which is part of a series on the 15 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2021, we look at the return of the show in a year in which many smaller agricultural events in the district fell victim to covid again.
The Great Yorkshire Show in July signalled a brief return to some sort of normality after covid decimated another year of outdoor events.
The show was cancelled last year and the venue’s Yorkshire Event Centre was converted into a covid vaccination site in the early months of the year.
For a while, it seemed possible that Yorkshire’s flagship farming event might have to be cancelled for a second year running. But the Yorkshire Agricultural Society took the decision to hold it over four days so visitors could spread out — and the risk paid off.
Prince Charles at the show
The Stray Ferret attended all four sun-kissed days to watch award-winning goats, sample delicious local food and drink, and we were front row for a surprise royal visit when the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall attended.
The couple arrived at lunchtime on day three and were greeted by hundreds of visitors at the gate.
Prince Charles spent time inspecting sheep, while the Duchess of Cornwall visited the children’s discovery zone.
Both also took time out to speak with the many visitors and exhibitors, including Phil Airey from Harrogate gardening charity Horticap.
The Stray Ferret’s videos of the royal couple attending the event and leaving the Stray via helicopter went viral and received over 200,000 views on our Facebook page. You can view them on our YouTube page here and here.
Read more:
- Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show to remain four-day event
- Emotional Harrogate reunion for Puss the cat and her Scottish owners
This year’s show also got a happy (and emotional) ending a week after it ended.
Farmer David Mitchell and his wife Annette drove 200 miles from East Ayrshire to be reunited with the intrepid Puss the Cat, who they feared was lost forever after she bolted from his trailer after sneaking in and hitching a ride to Harrogate.
Many shows cancelled
But although the Great Yorkshire Show went ahead, and will remain a four-day event in 2022, other agricultural shows weren’t as fortunate.
Nidderdale Show, which usually attracts about 15,000 people to Pateley Bridge in September, was cancelled.
So was Ripley Show, Birstwith Show and Tockwith Show, with organisers citing concerns over health, logistics and the extension of social distancing restrictions.
Masham Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally called off its summer event, citing “too many uncertainties to proceed”.
But the unique Masham Sheep Fair went ahead in September.
Masham Sheep Fair
There is no other event like it in the district. As well as sheep judging, it offered sheepdog trials, tours of the Theakston and Black Sheep breweries, Morris dancing, fleece stalls and even sheep racing to keep the crowds entertained.
Organiser Susan Cunliffe-Lister told the Stray Ferret she was determined to hold the fair this year despite uncertainty over covid.
Weeton Show also decided to proceed and was rewarded with a sell-out crowd and glorious sun.
Agricultural shows are a major part of the district’s summer life and many people will be hoping they return en masse in 2022.
