Summer shows at Birstwith and Newby Hall this weekendMajor Ripon employer reports ‘significantly more challenging’ yearTockwith Show to return in 2025Harrogate district farmers call on government to scrap ‘catastrophic’ tax hikeYorkshire solicitor urges owners leasing land to know their rightsKnaresborough Lido has bathing water status, but what happens now?‘It’s very Yorkshire’ – the tradition of showing livestock at agricultural shows‘We desperately need change’, says Skipton and Ripon Lib Dem candidateWhat’s new this year at the Great Yorkshire Show?

An array of new attractions are set to take place at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show.

The show will run from Tuesday, July 9, to Friday, July 12. Last year tickets sold out a week before the event started.

This year is set to see a craft beer bar, a Battle of the Butchers, Theakston’s Great Yorkshire Inn and Main Ring performances from Forever Tenors and the Paul Hannam Quad Bike Stunt Show for the 165th edition of the show.

It will also be the first time the show hosts the World Ayrshire Federation Annual Conference when around 100 farmers from countries including Kenya, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and America attend as part of a UK Tour.

Meanwhile, the People’s Choice competition will return for the first time since 2019.

People’s Choice traditionally took place in the cattle classes, with exhibitors generally in fancy dress and a light-hearted approach to the whole business of describing and judging the cattle. Its return this year has seen it extended to goats and pigs.

Charles Mills, show director said:

“We are thrilled to announce an exciting programme of events throughout the show, from a world conference for farmers from across the globe, to a Battle of the Butchers competition in the Food Hall, there’s so much for everyone to enjoy.

“There’s also the old favourites which traditionally draw huge crowds with the Cock O the North and the Grand Cattle Parades and I’m delighted to announce the return of People’s Choice which is a lot of fun and gets the public involved.”

Elsewhere, there will be newcomers to the Vertu Motors GYS Stage with Helen Skelton (Tuesday) and Rob and Dave Nicholson, of Cannon Hall Farm, (Friday) along with returning stars Peter Wright of Channel 5’s The Yorkshire Vet (Thursday) and Adam Henson (Wednesday).

The President’s Lawn will showcase a Grimme four row self-propelled potato harvester on display, set up in honour of the YAS President this year, Martin Cockerill, who’s a potato farmer.

There will also be a photography exhibition by British Life Photographer of the Year, Amy Bateman, who will reflect her on a yearlong journey to record the stories of forty farms across Cumbria.

Amy and husband Colin’s 900-acre cattle and sheep farm Croft Foot is also nominated for a Tye Trophy award, a YAS award highlighting some of the best farms in the north of England and recognising the contribution of farmers to conservation and environmental improvement.

For the first time at the GYS, a craft beer bar will be open in the Food Hall.

There will be over ten beer choices from four brewers within a three-mile radius of the Showground, including award-winning beers from Harrogate Brewing Company, Roosters, Turning Point and Daleside breweries. These local businesses are all members of SIBA – Society for Independent Brewers – the UK body that represents independent breweries.

Tickets are: Adults £35, Children £13 and Families £86 click here to find out more. 

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King Charles III remains patron of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society has announced that King Charles III will continue to be patron of the charity.

The news follows a review of more than 1,000 royal patronages and charity presidencies by the Royal Household, following the King’s accession.

Queen Elizabeth II was patron of the society between 1952 and 1997 before King Charles III became the society’s patron as The Prince of Wales in 1998.

His Majesty last visited the Great Yorkshire Show, which is organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, with Queen Camilla in 2021.

Allister Nixon, CEO of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, said:

“We are honoured and delighted to receive confirmation that King Charles III will continue to be Patron of the Society. We feel deeply privileged and very much look forward to welcoming the King and Queen back to the Show in the future.”

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society is the charity which organises the Great Yorkshire Show and runs businesses on the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate.

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