Viewers from over 40 countries tuned into watch the first Great Yorkshire Virtual Show this week.

People as far as Japan and New Zealand watched as more than 60 show supporters, ranging from farmers to rural craftspeople, filmed their own footage to give viewers a real insight into their work.

The three day programme allowed viewers to see the Yorkshire countryside virtually from the comfort of their own homes. The itinerary included stunt riders, stars of The Yorkshire Vet and cooking sessions with TV chefs.

Families who have been showing their animals on the show ground for generations invited viewers onto their farms, via video, to give a real insight into Yorkshire farming.

Amongst those missing out were the hundred of school children who usually attend the show. This year they had to sit in their classrooms to watch the behind the scenes footage and performances.

Local farmers took viewers on virtual tours to give them an insight in farming in Yorkshire.

Read more:

• The Farm to Fork campaign champions the efforts of Yorkshire’s farmers to keep the nation fed during the pandemic.
• The FRA said more of us shopped in farm shops over lockdown. 

Charles Mills, farmer and Show Director of the Great Yorkshire Show, said:

“I am absolutely delighted and grateful for the support for our first ever virtual show. While it was always clear that we could not replicate the Great Yorkshire Show as everyone knows and loves, I hope that everyone who tuned in found something that entertained them and hopefully they learned something new about farming, food and the countryside.”

“We are incredibly proud of how supporters of the Show of all ages and from across the county went to such great efforts to help us celebrate the Show. One important thing I do hope the virtual show has achieved is to have helped lift people’s spirits during what has been a tough time. I’m now looking forward to next year when we look forward to welcoming everybody back to the Great Yorkshire Show.”

The line-up for this year’s Great Yorkshire Show has been announced ahead of the first day today.

For the first time in history the show will be broadcast online from the Great Yorkshire Show website and will feature a packed schedule which celebrates farming, food and the countryside.

Some top attractions include a behind the scenes tour with Olympic show jumper Graham Fletcher, a Q&A with stars of The Yorkshire Vet and a performance from East Yorkshire based TV stunt performers Atkinson Action Horses.

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• Great Yorkshire show goes virtual for the first time ever 
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Charles Mills, the show’s director, said:

“Never before has the Great Yorkshire Show been celebrated as a virtual event and so we are incredibly grateful to everyone who has contributed to bringing the show to life in this way. There will be something for everyone to enjoy online over the show’s three days and we dearly hope that you will join us for what promises to be a very special showcase…”

Charles Mills, Show Director.

The show, which normally welcomes more than 130,000 visitors and 8,500 animals was cancelled in March due to the pandemic. In previous years the show has generated large amounts of traffic through Harrogate.

The organisers were determined that “the show must go on” and instead encourage people to enjoy the event from the comfort of their own home.

To view the full schedule visit – https://greatyorkshireshow.co.uk 

The Great Yorkshire Show is going online for the first time in its history on July 14-16.

The show, that would normally welcome 130,000 visitors, was cancelled in March due to coronavirus. But it is now going virtual to offer three full days of entertaining video footage.

The organisers, Yorkshire Agricultural Society, are offering the performances, demonstrations and livestock visitors would expect from the traditional event.

Acts will include Yorkshire-based TV stunt performers Atkinson Action Horses, a cook off with top chefs and a Q&A session with stars of The Yorkshire Vet.

Soprano Lizzie Jones and the Leyburn Band will also perform. Viewers will also get a behind the scenes tour with the Olympic show jumper Graham Fletcher.

Charles Mills, Show Director of the Great Yorkshire Show, said:

“While the coronavirus has caused the cancellation of our iconic annual event, we are determined that the show must go on, albeit in a different format this year.

“The Yorkshire Agricultural Society recognises that the Great Yorkshire Show offers a fantastic platform to celebrate and champion the very best of British agriculture and so we hope to achieve that virtually this year. There will be something for everyone to enjoy online over the show’s three days.”

The virtual show will see the return of well-loved performers but this time viewers can watch it from home.

Read more:

• More people are shopping at farm shops over lockdown said The Farm Retail Association.
• District farmers are working “around the clock” to stock supermarket shelves.

The businesses who would have held trade stands can also be accessed by viewers. A comprehensive directory is available to encourage viewers to shops as well as watch the show.

A full schedule will be available on the Great Yorkshire Show website.