Princess Anne visited Harrogate today for the sell-out opening day of the Great Yorkshire Show.

About 35,000 people converged on the Great Yorkshire Showground in mercifully cooler conditions than those forecast.

Here’s what happened.

6.50pm: Traffic returning to normal after successful first day

You can’t ask for much more than a sell-out crowd and a royal visit, which is what happened today. But if you’re being greedy you’d also want nice weather and smooth running traffic.

Many people arrived lathered in sun cream only to be greeted by grey skies and even some spots of rain. But it was perfect weather for bimbling around.

The traffic situation could have been bette but keeping 35,000 people moving around the country lanes near the showground is always going to be a challenge.

We will be back on the morning with more live traffic updates.

6.05pm: Lots of traffic still exiting the showground on Rudding Lane.

5.55pm: Still long queues as people exit showground

There is currently a long queue on Rudding Lane of traffic leaving the showground trying to get on to the A658 John Metcalf Way.

5.40pm: Queues on John Metcalf Way

This is the current view from the traffic island at the Kestrel roundabout looking towards Follifoot. The roundabout is far less busy than this morning and there are no queues heading from Wetherby but traffic approaching the roundabout from the John Metcalf Way have lengthy tailbacks.

5.21pm: Woodlands junction is quiet

The Woodlands junction is currently far quieter than usual at this time.

5.12pm: Long queues as visitors leave the showground

Traffic is heavy in both directions on Hookstone Road as vehicles pour out of the showground. This is the current situation:

4.39pm: Rush hour traffic starts to build

People are leaving day one and rush hour traffic around Harrogate is bound to be busy. We will be on the roads providing updates but if you have news of a jam please email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Shuttle buses took a while to get to the showground this morning, particularly after 9am. The heavy traffic and security arrangements for the royal visit didn’t help. Buses run every 20 minutes from stand 13 and are free.

3.42pm: Highlights of Princess Anne’s visit

Princess Anne, no stranger to the event, has been on the traditional royal tour of the showground today.

2.35pm – Learn to scuba dive with a Harrogate business

The landlocked showground might not be the first place you think of to try scuba diving, but for £10 you can have a go with Harrogate-based business Diveshack UK.

Owner Tim Yarrow has brought a tank with him as well as wet suits and towels for people to use. Mr Yarrow takes groups diving in UK locations including Flamborough and Orkney as well as abroad to Malta.

He said:

“I came last year so I thought I’d give it another go. We’ve got the tank this time and it’s a bit of an interest factor.”

Mr Yarrow is no stranger to the showground. He is also the operations manager at Yorkshire Health Network who delivered covid vaccinations at the site in 2021 and earlier this year.

He joked the previously clinical hall where vaccines took place is now filled with bales of hay.

Last month Mr Yarrow was knocked back by Harrogate Borough Council in his bid to build a state-of-the-art scuba diving facility in Knaresborough. He said he is planning to appeal the council’s refusal.

He added:

“The feedback from the public to the plans were really supportive. I am adamant it will be a benefit to the area and will be unique. There’s a neccessity as we have a huge number of people in the area who are divers.”

1.21pm – Police warn of ‘several miles’ of queues  

12.30pm – Puss the cat’s owners return – without their cat!

Puss the cat memorably escaped from last year’s Great Yorkshire Show after sneaking into a Scottish farmer’s sheep trailer. After a week of searching there was an emotional reunion with her tearful and relieved owners, which the Stray Ferret captured.

We caught up with Annette and David Mitchell again this morning who have returned to show their sheep.

It seems Puss is now an experienced escape artist and tried to sneak in again this year, before she was spotted and safely put inside. At a recent show in Carlisle, Puss also came along for the ride after spotting an open window in their trailer.

Annette said:

“We’ve got to keep an eye on her now. But it’s good to be back at the show – minus the cat!”

11.50am – Princess Anne arrives at the show

Princess Anne arrived at the Great Yorkshire Show this morning.

She becomes the latest royal to attend the show. Prince Charles made the visit in 2021.

11.31am – Encouraging visitors to return to Harrogate

A total of 140,000 people are expected at the show over the next four days. Tourism body Visit Harrogate is trying to entice them to return by showcasing attractions such as the Turkish baths.

Matthew Chapman, chief executive of Harrogate Business Improvement District, has joined staff at Visit Harrogate on the stand.

11.21am – Shuttle bus delays

Regular shuttle buses are operating between the showground and the bus station in Harrogate but we are hearing there are long queues to get on board and the journey is taking a long time.

11am – Princess Anne arrives in Harrogate

Princess Anne has arrived in Harrogate ahead of her visit to the show.

She arrived by helicopter on the Stray this morning.

10.10am – Ripon Farm Services keeping up appearances

It wouldn’t be the Great Yorkshire Show without Ripon Farm Services and the man in charge, Geoff Brown, who has been coming to the show for 60 years.

Here he is alongside a John Deere 8RX 370, which retails for a cool £560,000.

9.49am – First set of visitors flock to the show

The first set of visitors are inside the showground as the show kicks off.

At the moment, it’s mercifully cool at the showground. In fact there are currently a few spots of rain.

9.35am – Drivers ignore road closure signs

Some cars are ignoring these signs on Wetherby Road only to register displeasure when they are then told further down they have to turn left down Forest Lane.

SEP traffic management staff, which are handling the traffic for the event, handle events like the Grand National and the British Grand Prix at Silverstone so they’re used to dealing with drivers.

9.25am – Delays at Woodlands junction

There are delays at the notorious Woodlands junction. This is the current view heading along Hookstone Drive where traffic is barely at a crawl.

Meanwhile, pictured below is the scene on Wetherby Road heading into Harrogate.

8.55am – Long delays at Kestrel roundabout from Wetherby

There are now long delays at the Kestrel roundabout in all directions.

Traffic lights are operating and this is the current scene on the approach to the roundabout from Wetherby.

8.45am – Delays at Kestrel roundabout

There are delays of about half a mile approaching Kestrel roundabout on John Metcalf Way.

On Haggs Lane there are also some slight delays as traffic approaches John Metcalf Way.

8.27am – John Metcalf Way quiet

The junction of John Metcalf Way and Rudding Lane is currently quiet this morning.

Traffic appears to be running smoothly elsewhere ahead of the show.

8.15am – Traffic being managed on Rudding Lane

No significant delays at the entrance on Rudding Lane where stewards are helping to manage the flow.

8.01am – No major delays at Rudding Lane junction

There is currently no major delays at the junction of Wetherby Road and Rudding Lane where traffic onto town is being diverted.

7.55am – Sainsbury’s and fuel closed

A reminder that Sainsbury’s, including the fuel station, is closed during the show.

7.48am: Gates open to public at 8am

Exhibitors are starting to enter. We just saw a large group of American sheep breeders who have flown in mainly for this — a reminder of how big the event is.

7.31am – Road closure on Wetherby Road

Vehicles travelling from Harrogate to Wetherby on Wetherby Road are alerted at the Woodlands junction that the road ahead is closed.

Currently traffic is running smoothly in all directions at the Woodlands junction.

7.22am – Traffic flowing smoothly

This is the current scene on Wetherby Road approaching the Woodlands junction this morning. Traffic is flowing smoothly but traffic management is in place.

6.50am: Harrogate set for royal visit

Last year Prince Charles attended in glorious sunshine. This year his sister Princess Anne, who is 17th in line to the throne, will be visiting for the first time since 2018 (pictured below).

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society seems to have developed a hotline to the weather gods since the disastrous, flood-hit 2012 event, with perfect weather forecast yet again.

6am: Traffic arrangements

With all 140,000 tickets sold, traffic measures are in place this week to reduce congestion.

Wetherby Road and surrounding streets are set to be the most affected as traffic orders prioritise getting visitors to and from the showground with minimal queuing.

Signs are already in place down the A658 directing show traffic towards Harrogate.

On all four days of the show, traffic will be one-way from the Kestrel roundabout to the showground, from 6am to 2pm.

This will then reverse at 2pm to enable cars to leave the site towards the Kestrel roundabout.

A traffic order will be in place to prevent vehicles turning right from Wetherby Road onto Rudding Lane. The restriction does not apply to buses or to residents.

Drivers will also be prevented from travelling north across the A661 from Rudding Lane to Forest Lane.

You can read the full guide to transport and travel during the show here.

Organisers of the Great Yorkshire Show are putting extra provisions in place to keep animals safe as they prepare to open the gates in high temperatures tomorrow.

The forecast for Tuesday is for temperatures to rise to 23C, down on the highs of 29C set to be seen today.

The rest of the week looks slightly cooler, rising to just 20C on Thursday and Friday, though Wednesday could see 22C with long spells of unbroken sunshine.

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society is putting extra measures in place to ensure animals being shown will be safe in the heat.

A Great Yorkshire Show spokesperson said:

“The welfare of people and animals is of paramount importance to us here at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

“For the animals, we have stewards working across the site, checking their areas and ensuring animals in their sections are well looked after.

“We have increased water provision and Vets are on site 24 hours a day all week to provide support. We encourage anyone experiencing any issues to notify a steward.”

Read more:

• Great Yorkshire Show: road closure and transport guide
• Family, food and famous faces at the Great Yorkshire Show

For visitors, there are some indoor areas to shelter from the sun, including the food hall and the new GYS Stage. The forestry area will also have more shade from the trees.

While there are several outdoor food courts offering refreshments, there are also indoor catering outlets, including the pavilion run by the North Yorkshire West Federation of Women’s Institutes, selling food and drink throughout the day.

The spokesperson added:

“There are extra Yorkshire Water drinking water refill stations across the showground this year and we encourage everyone to keep rehydrated and stay safe in the heat.”

While high temperatures cause extra work for exhibitors, they are unlikely to lead to significant problems for organisers, who have in the past had to deal with other severe weather.

In 2012, the show was closed after just one day because of heavy rain. It left much of the showground slick with mud and resulted in cars having to be towed from the car parks by tractors, leading organisers to call it off early over safety concerns.

It remains the only time the show has been called off because of severe weather in more than 160 years.

The Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate could cause disruption on the roads in the week ahead as visitors flock to the town.

All 140,000 tickets have been sold for the annual event, which starts on Tuesday and ends on Friday.

The sheer volume of traffic can cause problems at the beginning and end of each day, though significant improvements have been made to reduce the queues seen in the past.

Melisa Burnham, highways area manager for North Yorkshire County Council, said:

“We work closely with the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS), its traffic management company and National Highways to agree a traffic management plan.

“We always ensure that roadworks on the main routes are kept to a minimum, with only emergency work permitted. Highways officers will monitor traffic on the routes and are available should they need to support the traffic management company.

“Whilst every effort is made to ensure that traffic flows efficiently, visitors to Harrogate should expect delays at peak times and plan their journeys accordingly.”

Whether you’re planning to visit the show or hoping to avoid any hold-ups as you travel elsewhere, here is all you need to know to keep you moving this week.

Road closures

Wetherby Road

Wetherby Road and surrounding streets are set to be the most affected as traffic orders prioritise getting visitors to and from the showground with minimal queuing..

Signs are already in place down the A658 directing show traffic towards Harrogate.

On all four days of the show, traffic will be one-way from the Kestrel roundabout to the showground, from 6am to 2pm.

This will then reverse at 2pm to enable cars to leave the site towards the Kestrel roundabout.

Forest Lane and Rudding Lane

A traffic order will be in place to prevent vehicles turning right from Wetherby Road onto Rudding Lane. The restriction does not apply to buses or to residents.

Drivers will also be prevented from travelling north across the A661 from Rudding Lane to Forest Lane.

Hookstone Drive and surroundings

Waiting will be prohibited along Hookstone Wood Road, Hookstone Oval and Woodlands Green, from 6am to 9pm on all four days.

Wayside Walk, Wayside Close, Innisfree Close, Wayside Avenue, St Leonards Road, Windsor Road, St Helen’s Road and Apley Close will have no waiting orders for the first 50m from the junction with Hookstone Drive.

Deighton Road and Spofforth Lane

A one-way order will be in place from the junction of West View in North Deighton to the junction of Ribston Road, just north of Spofforth.

It will bring traffic west towards Harrogate from 6am to 2pm each day before being reversed to take vehicles away from 2pm until 8pm.

Read more:

• Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show on course for 140,000 sell-out
• New mural to welcome visitors to Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show

Accessing the showground

People driving from east of Harrogate, including Knaresborough and villages towards York, are being asked to follow signs to bring them onto the A658 and the A661 one-way route.

Those travelling from Leeds and the south via the A61 will be directed onto the A658 and in towards the showground from the Kestrel roundabout.

The A661 from Wetherby through Spofforth is not designated an official route and people are asked to avoid using it. An alternative for those travelling from the south is to continue to follow the A61 into Harrogate, then turn right onto Hookstone Road and follow signs towards Hookstone Drive.

People travelling from the west, as well as Ripon, should follow signs for the B6161 from the A59 at the former Old Spring Well junction to the north-west of Harrogate.

From there, they will travel to Beckwithshaw before being directed onto the B6162 Otley Road towards Harrogate and signposted to car parks.

Alternative options

Bus and rail access to the showground is possible on all four days.

The Harrogate Bus Company runs a free shuttle bus from the town centre to the showground, departing every 20 minutes.

It travels between Harrogate Bus Station and the white gate at the northern end of the showground. The double-decker buses will have low floors and space for pushchairs.

Did you know that Transdev, @harrogatebus, operates a FREE shuttle bus service from Harrogate Bus Station (next to the Railway Station) to the Great Yorkshire Show. Daily from 7.30am until 6.30pm. Buses depart every 20 minutes from the town centre – https://t.co/5A7KgMCijK pic.twitter.com/cdqovCjPVZ

— Great Yorkshire Show (@greatyorkshow) July 8, 2022

The nearest railway station is Hornbeam Park, from where there will be a signposted walking route via the ‘showground greenway’ across the Crimple Valley.

Look out for up-to-date travel news during the show on the Stray Ferret.

Around 140,000 visitors are set to descend on Harrogate next week for the Great Yorkshire Show.

The county’s showpiece agricultural event will take place over four days from Tuesday to Friday at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

There is always so much to see and do. So, as lifestyle editor, I’ve delved into what is on offer when it comes to family entertainment, food and drink and famous faces.

Family

There is plenty of free entertainment at the Discovery Zone.

When I visited the show last year with my three-year-old, we absolutely loved the Discovery Zone.

Slightly off the beaten track, it’s definitely worth adding to your itinerary if you’re taking the kids.

The area is described as “offering both fun and learning opportunities for all the family to find out more about food, farming and the countryside”.

This year the Discovery Zone will be showcasing regenerative agriculture, to tell the story of environmental practices that are shaping modern farming.

A wildflower meadow has been created for visitors to enjoy and picnic alongside, and interpretation boards will explain how farmers and landowners carefully manage the land to harness nature and wildlife.

Expect a full array of completely free and interactive activities, workshops and demonstrations for families and young people, from wand and felt making, to meeting reptiles and milking a demonstration dairy cow.

This year there will be a new careers hotdesk, organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and supported by agricultural colleges and vets. There will be an opportunity to ask the hosts about routes into agricultural careers and free goodie bags.

Food and drink

Shaun Rankin, of Grantley Hall.

If you’re into your food and drink, our county undoubtedly has some of the best in the world.

This year foodies are in for treat when the winner of MasterChef 2022, Eddie Scott, and Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen line up with a host of well-known regional chefs to cook up some of the region’s finest produce.

The Great Yorkshire Food Theatre will feature more than 20 chefs, including Callum Bowmer of Horto at Rudding Park, Harrogate, Dragon’s Den contestant Will Chew of Mak Tok, in Sheffield, Michelin-starred Shaun Rankin of Grantley Hall, near Ripon, and Nathan Richardson-Kelly of Castle Howard, York.

Dishes being demonstrated range from steamed rhubarb muthiya to halibut and from chicken pancakes to slow roasted beef.

MasterChef winner Eddie appears on Tuesday at 2pm. While shepherdess Amanda shares some of her favourite family recipes from her bestselling book ‘Celebrating the Seasons’ on the Friday at 2.30pm.

Great Yorkshire Food Theatre host Sue Nelson said:

“We’re thrilled to be hosting some great names who between them exude incredible talent showcasing the best of Yorkshire’s culinary scene.

“It’s a great coup to have got Eddie to appear on his home turf so soon after his MasterChef win and he joins a brilliant gourmet line-up oozing passion and skill.”

The Game Cookery Theatre makes the most of Yorkshire game, including venison, pigeon, grouse and rabbit. The game theatre also features a number of chefs, with host Steph Moon joining forces with grouse expert John Cavana to create grouse nuggets and grouse with black pudding.

New for 2022 is an appearance by Year 8 students from Harrogate’s St Aidan’s High School. They have won the opportunity to cook at the show, with two different forms producing their own game pizzas.

Game Cookery Theatre host Steph Moon said:

“It is fantastic to have a full programme at the show again. We have some new chefs and some young chefs and as always we will be showcasing the very best Yorkshire produce in both theatres.”

Famous faces

Matt Baker.

For many years the Fashion Show brought a touch of glamour to the Great Yorkshire Show.

This year, organisers are trying something different, with a new celebrity chat show being held in its place.

TV presenter Christine Talbot will host the show on the new GYS Stage, which will be staged in the former fashion show building next to grey gate.

Farming celebrities will be interviewed and will then have a chat with fans afterwards in a meet and greet zone.

This will include Countryfile presenter Adam Henson on Tuesday, JLS popstar-turned farmer JB Gill on Wednesday, TV host Matt Baker MBE on Thursday and the Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen on Friday.

The Yorkshire Vet Peter Wright will take to the stage each day of the show.

Mr Wright said:

“We always love coming to the Great Yorkshire Show and have been coming for years, with my family as well as filming. I’m delighted to be taking part in the brand new GYS Stage which will be an exciting new addition to the show.”

In 2021, organisers capped the number of visitors at 104,000 and made the show a four-day event to spread out the number of visitors due to covid.

This year, the show is back to full strength and the last few tickets are available for Friday. Tickets are available here and won’t be sold at the gates.

The Great Yorkshire Show could welcome 140,000 visitors next week, with tickets already sold out for Wednesday and Thursday.

The county’s showpiece agricultural event will take place over four days from Tuesday to Friday next week at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate.

In 2021, organisers capped the number of visitors at 104,000 and made the show a four-day event to spread out the number of visitors due to covid.

This year, the show is back to full strength and the last few tickets are available for Tuesday and Friday. Tickets are available here and won’t be sold at the gates.

As well as the usual animal shows, activities, stalls and competitions, Tuesday will see a royal visit from Princess Anne and a new GYS stage will welcome TV stars Matt Baker, Amanda Owen and Peter Wright.

Show director Charles Mills said:

“We have capacity for 140,000 visitors across the four days and there are no ticket sales on the gate so anyone who wants to come and enjoy the show needs to be buying their tickets as soon as possible.”

The Stray Ferret will be attending the show and will also be giving traffic updates from Wetherby Road and Harrogate town centre each morning.

Read more:

• Hound parade cancelled at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show
• New mural to welcome visitors to Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show

The traditional parade of hounds in the main ring at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show will not take place this year, organisers have confirmed.

The Telegraph reported on Sunday that the parade, which features hunting dogs, had been cancelled due to pressure from animal rights activists.

The newspaper said event organisers Yorkshire Agricultural Society had acted “following a sustained campaign of emails and letters, in particular from a Welsh activist known to be linked to hunt saboteur groups”.

It added the decision had prompted a “backlash” from local farmers who had accused the organisers of “caving unnecessarily over the issue”.

The show, which has taken place annually since 1837, is one of the country’s premier agricultural events.

Princess Anne will be the royal guest at this year’s show, which takes place from July 12 to 15.

The hound show will still take place but the parade in the main ring will not.

Read more:

• Princess Anne to visit Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show
• New mural to welcome visitors to Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show

The Stray Ferret asked the society whether the decision was due to pressure from animal rights activists.

A spokesperson from the organisation replied:

“The hound show will be held as usual at the Great Yorkshire Show and we have very strong entry numbers across all types of hounds this year including for Foxhounds, Beagles, Harriers, Draghounds and Bloodhounds.

“Across the site, there have been several changes to the content of the Great Yorkshire Show and this includes in the main ring. All decisions taken are always considered and balanced, and that includes the decision to postpone the hound parade in the main ring this year.

“We remain committed to demonstrating the best of farming and rural life in all its forms to our visitors.”

A new mural has been painted to welcome visitors to the Great Yorkshire Show.

Sam Porter, from Mural Minded, created the canvas which is aimed at capturing the best of the Harrogate show by blending countryside and agriculture.

The mural can be found on the former fashion show building and will be on display for visitors when they arrive on July 12.

Mr Porter, is from a fine art, sculpture printmaking and graffiti background and uses walls as huge canvasses, said:

“It’s been amazing to do a mural in such beautiful surroundings with nature all round.

“I like to try and represent endangered species in murals I do and to highlight that wherever I can, it was challenging to incorporate as many animals as I did within the mural but I am really happy with the end result and I hope all the visitors to the show can enjoy the mural for many more years to come.”

Read more:

• Princess Anne to visit Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show
• Bird flu forces cancellation of poultry classes at Great Yorkshire Show

The Great Yorkshire Show has become a four-day event after a raft of changes were implemented at the 2021 show due to covid regulations. 

Tickets are on sale now for the show, which will run from Tuesday 12 July to Friday 15 July, 2022. 

As Harrogate celebrates the platinum jubilee, we asked for your memories of how you celebrated the Queen’s silver jubilee, which marked 25 years on the throne in 1977.

Back then, more than one million people lined the streets of London to watch the Royal Family in procession to St Paul’s cathedral, while millions more watched on TV and held street parties across the country.

In Harrogate there were street parties, galas and even a visit from the Queen herself, who attended the Great Yorkshire Show.

Great Yorkshire Show

Dave Smith said:

“I was working at Octavius Atkinsons at the time and we were given permission to go out onto Hookstone Chase to see her go past as she was leaving the Great Yorkshire Show.”

Nan Weeks said

“I Remember the Queen when she visited Harrogate, I was amazed how tiny she was. We were at the Great Yorkshire Show with a party from Killinghall School and it was Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh who came round where we were and chatted to some children.”

Read more:

• Jubilee business boom for Harrogate district independents
• From corgis to bollard covers: Harrogate district is getting into jubilee spirit

Marianne Hopkinson said:

“I was in my last year at St. Peter’s primary school and we went to the Great Yorkshire Show. We were allowed to stand on the other side of the rope when she went past with Philip in a horse drawn carriage there. I also got a coin, which I still have, and a cup which got broken many years ago.”

Claire H. Beresford-Robinson also sent a photograph of the Queen looking at the work of Woodlands School pupils.

She said:

“Me and my friends at Woodlands School with headteacher, Mr Dunmore, in the background…”

Karen Wenham said:

“I remember when I was in my last year at Starbeck CP School and the Queen came to visit in 1977.  We all went up to the Great Yorkshire Showground and I took a posy of flowers for her. It always sticks in my mind.

“A couple of years ago I was invited to go to the palace, as I am an ambassador for a charity, and Sophie Wessex was lovely and we chatted.

“We were told the queen was in residence that night and not to be surprised if she came down with her corgis, as she likes to surprise people.

“I still have my silver jubilee coin in its case up in the loft.”

Knaresborough

Rick Vai sent a photo of the Queen visiting Knaresborough, which sparked memories from other residents.

Karen Allan said:

“They passed along King James Road, fronting King James School. We were all lined up for her.”

Sarah Brown added:

“I remember this. I was one of those school children lined up outside King James School in Knaresborough.”

Street parties

There were also memories of street parties across the Harrogate district.

Sharon Hopkins said:

Gary King said:

“We had a massive street party on Lime Street and Lime Grove and loads of us kids went in fancy dress.”

Christine Hemming added:

“As I remember, there was a competition for the best hat between the kids and Stephen won! Lime Street and Lime Grove were closed to traffic. Tables lined the street and all the Mums mucked in to provide the food.”

Bilton Gala

The first Bilton Gala took place in 1977 to mark the Queen’s silver jubilee and readers remember it well.

“I remember being on a float at the Bilton Gala. Not as easy as it looked, trying to stay on our feet! Got really involved after that then went onto the Committee. Happy days.”

“I was the baby (below) in the winning ‘best dressed pram’ competition for the Bilton 1977 jubilee celebrations.”

The links between the Queen and the Harrogate district stretch back decades, including a visit in 1952 before her coronation.

From her appearances at the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate to her trips to Ripon, including her 2004 visit for another important anniversary – 400 years since the granting of the city’s Royal Charter.

Former director of the Great Yorkshire Show, Bill Cowling, described chaperoning the Queen’s during her last visit in 2008 as one of the highlights of his career.

Royal visit

He told the Stray Ferret:

“The show makes requests for royal visits, sometimes more than a year in advance. It was agreed that the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh would come to the show to mark its 150th anniversary.

“Everything was going ahead, plans were progressing. Then an MP called David Davies fell out with the Conservative party, so he resigned his seat and a by-election was called.

“After attending the show in the morning, the Queen and the Duke were then meant to be going to Hull to open a hospital. But due to protocol, the by-election meant the Monarch could not go into an area where this was taking place.

“We thought this meant we had lost our royal visit. But after a week or so, we got a phone call from the palace to say they had been talking it over and they wondered if the Queen and Duke could stop for longer at the Great Yorkshire Show. So in the end the royal visit was for more than five hours!”

HM The Queen arriving in Harrogate for the Great Yorkshire Show in 1957.

Mr Cowling remembered that as the Queen was getting older, it was decided that they would drive to the far end of the showground and walk back.

‘An absolute expert’

He said:

“I never thought I would be sat in the back of a Range Rover with the Queen. You don’t think these things are going to happen.

“She is an absolute expert and makes people who are meeting her comfortable and at home and relaxed.

“One of the things we spoke about was that they had had a garden party at the palace the day before. She said the wet weather had made a bit of a mess of the lawn. She was very down to earth.”

The Queen at the Great Yorkshire Show in 1957.

Mr Cowling said on the walk back she spoke to lots of people at the event.

He said:

“She always gives everybody the full treatment as it were. Everyone will feel like they are the most important person on that visit. That is why she is so expert at putting people at their ease and showing an interest in what they are showing or doing.

“On the way back she also laid the foundation stone for Fodder, which was being built at that time.”

The Queen unveiling a plaque to commemorate the start of work on the Regional Agricultural Centre in 2008.

Mr Cowling said many things stood out about her visit, but he remembered one particular conversation.

The most wonderful visit

He said:

“We stayed for lunch at the show in the president’s pavilion, which is upstairs. The carpet is quite a light colour. The ground conditions were quite muddy and there were a few muddy footprints on the carpet and she turned to me and said “don’t worry it will vac out” It was absolutely out of the blue and so natural.

“It was the most wonderful visit and we were so lucky. In the end we were thanking David Davies for calling a by-election!”

Mr Cowling said he had to “pinch himself” when he saw her on TV after spending so much time with her.

He said:

“It’s a huge honour for the Harrogate region that she comes and shows such an interest.

“We will definitely be raising a glass or two to her this weekend.”

Harrogate Conference Centre

Other visits from the Queen, include the Harrogate Conference Centre in the mid 1980s, where she was the guest of honour at a gala concert in aid of Y Care.

Performers included AHA, Rory Bremner and Wayne Sleep. Terry Waite, who was prominent in the Anglican Church, was also present on behalf of Y Care.

On Thursday, April 4,1985, the Queen and Prince Philip visited Harrogate on the Royal Train and did a 20-minute walkabout in front of the station, where they met members of the public and various charities, including St George’s Home, on Otley Road.

Read more:

• Harrogate district schools get in jubilee spirit
• Platinum Jubilee Harrogate district: What’s On

They then went on in a royal convey to Ripon Cathedral where the Queen gave out Maundy Money to local parishioners and church volunteers.

Sun Pavilion

In 1998 the Queen re-opened the Sun Pavilion in Harrogate following its restoration. The Sun Pavilion and Colonnade has recently been given Grade II listed status as part of the Queen’s platinum jubilee.

Ripon

On May 27, 2004, the Queen and Prince Philip visited Ripon to mark the 400th anniversary of the city’s Royal Charter, granted by James I in 1604.

As well as visiting Ripon Town Hall, where they stood on the balcony to wave to the mass crowds, they also did a walkabout in Ripon Market Square and spoke with local residents and visitors.

The Queen and Prince Philip pictured in Ripon in 2004 when Cllr Stuart Martin and his wife April, were the mayor and mayoress of the city

In her long 70 year reign the Queen has touched many hearts in the district. The memories of those who have met her on those very special occasions will stay with them forever.

The Queen at the Great Yorkshire Show in 1977.

A new Harrogate based childrenswear brand is due to launch at the Great Yorkshire Show in July.  

The high-end country style clothing store will be online, but will also have stands at various country events and shows.

It plans to sell a variety of sustainable products, from tweed coats to hand-knitted cashmere boots.  

Eleanor Charles’ tweed range

Mum of two and former solicitor Katie Heptonstall started the plans for Eleanor Charles after the pandemic hit.  

After moving from London back to Harrogate when her father-in-law suffered a heart attack, Mrs Heptonstall and her husband chose to stay in the town after the birth of their children, Elle and Charlie, who the business is named after. 

She said:  

“I am really excited to bring together everything we have been working so hard on over the last few months and to bring Eleanor Charles to life at the Great Yorkshire Show. 

“It has been a complete change for me in my career, I have learnt so much over the last few months and I have enjoyed every second of it.” 

The shop will launch at the Great Yorkshire Show , which runs from Tuesday, July 12 to Friday, July 15, where the clothing stand will also have a sofa for breastfeeding, a baby changing area, a colouring table and a photo wall.

The Alice Hawthorn pub wins three regional awards for architecture 

The Alice Hawthorn pub in Nun Monkton has won three regional RIBA awards for Yorkshire, celebrating its architecture and sustainability.  

The hotel and pub won the regional Yorkshire award, the Yorkshire sustainability award and the Yorkshire client of the year award at the ceremony held in London.  

Twelve new guest bedrooms were recently designed by De Matos Ryan, with the aim of preventing the pub from closing.  

Since four local taverns closed down, The Alice Hawthorn is the only remaining pub in the village.  

The new timber frame buildings include the sheds, field barn, stables and tack room

De Matos Ryan director Angus Morrogh-Ryan said: 

“We are delighted that this project has been recognised by the RIBA Yorkshire jury in this way.  

“It has been an honour to collaborate with such a brilliant client and contractor team, and together ensure that this village pub will continue to sustainably service its community but also welcome visitors from afar.” 

The ensuite bedrooms were designed with sustainable elements including timber frame buildings, low energy lighting and a heat pump for hot water and heating. 

The Alice Hawthorn has now been shortlisted for the RIBA national awards, which will take place later this year.