Great Yorkshire Show - Media Centre

Attendance figures were amongst the highest in the event’s history – 131,382 over the three days which is a rise for the fourth year in succession. The record stands at 135,111, established in 2006 and last year’s figure was 130,731.

Bill Cowling, Show Director said: “This has been one of the finest Great Yorkshire Shows I can remember. The atmosphere has been tremendous, the standard of entries across the competitive classes has been outstanding, and we have achieved another superb attendance figure.

He added: “Looking at the farming industry as a whole, there’s certainly a growing confidence, and as one of the UK’s top three agricultural shows, it is our responsibility to help foster that confidence. Our work supporting the industry goes on year round, and we’re already looking forward to our autumn event, Countryside Live.”

Guests over the three days included HRH The Princess Royal, who delighted the crowds as she toured the showground. Part of her visit included presenting Loraine Homer of Oxon with the Archie Thomlinson trophy for the champion ridden horse as well as meeting livestock exhibitors, visiting the hound section and watching equine classes. On Thursday the Defra Secretary, Caroline Spelman visited the show meeting exhibitors and touring stands.

The roll of honour at the 2010 Great Yorkshire Show included:

Livestock

Supreme Beef Champion: a four year old Hereford bull, Romany 1 Captain, shown by Nesbitt Farms of Hungerford, Berks.

Supreme Dairy Champion: the Holstein breed champion, Saxelby Godwyn Rose, shown by Robert and Elaine Butterfield, of Bentham, Lancaster.

Supreme Sheep Champion: a Charollais aged ram shown by Peter and Janet Vaughan of Leominster.

BPA Pig of the Year: the 10 month old Saddleback boar shown by Will Edwards and Amanda Thomas of Newbridge Gwent.

Supreme Pig Champion: a Welsh 9 month old sow, Garsfield Nine 7 from B and M Mulkeen’s Garsfield herd of Wigan.

Equestrian

Show jumping: The Ripon Select Foods Cock o’ the North: Geoff Luckett riding Monline

Cuddy Supreme Champion: a Welsh C brood mare, Kirkhamgate Lady Rhiannon owned by Paul Smith and Dawn Gant of Normanton, Wakefield.

Top Spec Top o’the North Supreme Ridden Championship: Rosemary Hetherington’s  6 year old cob Hallmark IX ridden  and produced by Jack Cochrane of Worksop.

The Garden Show

The Doncaster Trophy for the “Best in Show”, went to the National Farmers Union with their horticultural stand.

Sheep Shearing

Yorkshire Shearer of the Year was won by Antony Rooke of Harome, Helmsley.

Next year’s Great Yorkshire Show runs from Tuesday 12 – Thursday 14 July, and Countryside Live takes place on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 October. The shows are organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

The Butterfields, who milk 110 Holsteins in their Ingleview herd at Linghaw Farm, Bentham, Lancaster, have been showing since 1985 and last lifted the breed title in Harrogate in 1989.

Rose, which calved on June 10 and has been yielding 50kg of milk a day since, gave 12,738kg in her second lactation at 4.55 per cent butterfat and 3.57 per cent protein which won her the breed’s production class this year.

The Butterfields bought the cow as a freshly calved heifer from Andrew Stafford in Leicestershire who was at the show to see her success.

Dairy Shorthorn champion:

An enhanced entry of Dairy Shorthorn cattle was led by Churchroyd Heather 29, a fourth calver from Ian Collins’ herd at Church Farm, Whitley Lower, Dewsbury.

Repeating his success with the breed championship in 2008, Heather 29 is by Jerom out of Heather 13 and is 50 per cent Shorthorn and 50 per cent Holstein. The Churchroyd herd comprises 120 cows, 90 of which are Shorthorn.

The cow gave 9,432kg in her third lactation at 3.42 per cent butterfat and 3.25 per cent protein and 28 days into her fourth had given 1,362kg at 3.78 butterfat and 3.66 protein. She also won the breed production and inspection class.

Ayrshire champion:

Topping an almost doubled entry of Ayrshire cattle was David and Christine Sanderson’s well known show cow Middle Emerald Mr.

The couple who milk 134 cows in their Sandersons herd are regular exhibitors at Harrogate who travelled from Thackthwaite Hall, Wigton in Cumbria, collected their second breed championship in a row at the event with Emerald, bred by William and John Whiteford, of Brampton, Cumbria.

Bought at the December 2008 Beeston Castle sale for 5,200gns, Emerald lifted the Ayrshire championship at the National All Breeds Show at Stoneleigh in February this year.

By Middle Mitzy Ranger and out of Middle Emerald Patrick, in her second lactation she gave 7,139kg at 5.11 per cent butterfat and 3.49 protein.

Served by Atwell Admiral, she has been giving 32kg a day at 4.43 fat and 3.28 protein.

Jersey champion:

A Jersey heifer with nine generations of VG or Excellent in her pedigree won the breed title at the Great Yorkshire Show.

Grayridge Comercia Vivacious, shown by Debbie MacKellar of Lower Farm, Drointon, Stow by Chartley, Staffordshire, is an embryo daughter of a cow bought by Lanarkshire breeder David Gray.

The 29 month heifer by Bridon Remake Comercia calved four months before the show and has been giving 26 litres of milk a day. Mr Gray sold her as a maiden heifer.

The guest of honour on Tuesday was HRH The Princess Royal who, before her tour, was presented with a single white Yorkshire rose by five year old Rowan Krier. The Princess was accompanied by the Show Director, Bill Cowling.

She began by meeting soldiers from The Yorkshire Regiment before seeing classes in the hound section, sheep judging and then exhibitors in the pig section. She also had chance to chat to members of the Gloucester Old Spot Breeders Club, of which she is an honorary member. 

Moving on to the cattle, The Princess was introduced members of the British Simmental Cattle Society, which celebrates the 40^th anniversary in the UK.

In the Main Ring the Princess watched the ridden hunter classes before presenting the winner, Loraine Homer of Oxon, with the Archie Thomlinson Trophy. Ms Homer showed a five year old Irish bred gelding which also won the open heavy weight class.

Members of the Ghurka Band had the chance to chat to the Princess before she met Yorkshire Agricultural Society staff. As a thank you for her visit, the Princess was  presented with a gift of local produce from the Society.

They won the supreme last year with a Saddleback gilt by the same parents – a Prefect sire and a Dinah mother.

Reserve Pig of the Year went to another Saddleback breeder, Edward Bailey who is a barrister from Launceston, Cornwall, and who was a first time exhibitor at the show with the guilt Pland Dinah 7 from his hobby herd. The July 2009 born gilt was reserve breed champion in the show’s own classes.

The supreme pig at the show was the Welsh nine month old sow Garsfield Nine 7 from B and M Mulkeen’s Garsfield herd at North Ashton, Wigan.

The Vaughans have been showing Texels at the event since they started flocks of both breeds four years ago and their debut winning the Charollais top honours with the two shear ram which they bought at the Worcester sale last year after he had won the interbreed championship at the Royal Highland Show.

Logie Durno I’m your man is by Crogham Hannibal and the Vaughans purchased him for their Kings Land flock at Oaklands Farm, Kingsland, Leominster. They also showed the reserve breed champion from their 40-ewe flock.

Reserve supreme sheep champion:

A Swaledale ewe bred on a true hill farm near Skipton was selected as the reserve interbreed sheep at the show.

No newcomer to winning the breed championship, the leading award went to John Bradley whose Penyghent Farm runs from 1,400 to 2,000ft above sea level.

The three shear ewe was home bred by a Nelson of Bull and Cave ram out of a home bred ewe sired by a Catlow ram.

As a shearling, the ewe was interbreed champion at Kilnsey Show but the Yorkshire was her first outing for 2010.

Beltex:

Winning the Beltex championship for the first time out of a record entry at the event were Kevin and Rachel Buckle.

Their home-bred two shear aged ram which Scottish breeder John Scott has bought a half share in is by Luggsmill Lamech out of a home bred ewe from their 60-ewe Buckles flock at Buckles Farm, Barras, Kirkby Stephen.

The couple have had numerous other major wins at the show with the breed – but never the championship which Rachel, who is the Beltex Sheep Society’s Secretary, was more than pleased to win in the 20^th year for the breed in the UK.

Suffolk:

Among a 70-strong entry of Suffolks, first time exhibitor Geoff Biddulph collected the breed championship with a ram lamb.

Mr Biddulph, of Dale House Farm, Gawsworth, Macclesfield, Cheshire, sold the ram lamb’s mother to Jimmy Douglas for his Cairness flock but bought her back this year, in lamb with twins to the 20,000 gns ram Cairness Achievement.

The mother is by Stockton Skies the Limit. Mr Biddulph runs 70 ewes in his Pexhill flock.

Texel:

Texel entries were a record 271 and topping them was a shearling ram owned in partnership by Charlie Boden and Robert Forsyth.

Mr Boden, who runs the Sportsmans flock of Texels at Mellor Hall Farm near Stockport, paid 11,000gns for a half share in the ram from Mr Forsyth’s Baltier flock last year.

By Kitson Olympian and out of a Watchknowe Jimmy’s Pride mother, both sides of his breeding go back to Cornerstone Isaac.

North Country Cheviot:

The hill sheep championship went to the North Country Cheviot three shear ram shown by father and son Jim and William Thomson, of Hownam Grange, Morebattle, Kelso.

Last year’s reserve interbreed sheep champion, Carruthers Haribo was bred by the Carruthers at Lockerbie and is by Gospelhall Dandy.

Herdwick:

Herdwick top honours went to an aged ram shown by David Thompson of Woodland, Broughton in Furnesss, Cumbria.

The five shear ram was also reserve hill breed champion – repeating its success last year at the show. It was bred by Mark Potter, of Dockray, near Penrith, and bought for the hobby flock of 50 ewes run by Mr Thompson who is a walling contractor.

Bluefaced Leicester:

Champion Bluefaced Leicester was an aged ewe from Matt and Nicholas Robinson’s Cocklaw flock at Humshaugh, near Hexham in Northumberland.

Shetland:

A first time exhibitor of Shetland sheep at the show from Fife lifted the breed championship in a strong show of 81 entries.

Rena Douglas, of Craigrothie, Fife, collected top honours with her white home-bred three shear ram Drum Lucky Jim and is by Rench Cecil and out of the successful show ewe Drum Lucky from Mrs Douglas’s 50-ewe flock.

Lucky Jim also sired the reserve female champion at the show.

South Down:

It was fourth time lucky in the South Down section for Terry Mead, of Holly Bar Farm, Hollingdon, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire.

His home bred ram lamb by Heathgate Hollybar won his first breed championship in four years of exhibiting at the event.

Wensleydale:

Northumberland vet John Prescott repeated his success at the show of three years ago, winning both the Wensleydale and longwool championships.

Westend Border Reiver, a home bred four shear ram is by Hunton Tristan out of a home bred ewe. Mr Prescott runs 40 white and 20 black Wensleydale females at West End Farm, Longhorsley

The bull, by Crickley 1 Figurehead and out of Romany Julia 41, was breed and interbreed champion at the Highland earlier this year.

The Wilsons retain half the semen rights to the bull and semen has been exported to Brazil, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland and southern Ireland.

Reserve supreme beef champion:

A cow and calf from one of the longest established Simmental herds in the country won the breed championship in a line-up of well over 100 cattle to mark the breed’s 40^th anniversary in the UK – and went on to pick up the reserve interbreed title.

The home-bred seven year old cow Sterling Dolores Petra from Boddington Estates, Boddington, Cheltenham won the breed championship against an entry of 119 cattle which were penned in a marquee to mark the celebration.

Owners Stephen and Tania Hitchings were at the show to see their estate manager Joe Edwards and stockman Jim McMillan lead out the champion with her fourth calf, born in May, a bull calf Sterling Braveheart by Sterling Viking last year’s Burke championship winner at the Royal Show.

Petra by Sterling Flint out of Sterling Delores has won numerous championships this year for the 45 cow herd which dates back 32 years.

Third in the supreme beef championship:

A first outing at the Great Yorkshire Show earned Ken and Charlie Piper from Eastleigh in Hampshire the Charolais championship and a third place in the interbreed beef awards.

The couple saw their farm manager Charlie Maclean lead the cow and calf outfit, Mortimers Aphrodite with her January born bull calf Mortimers Figaro to victory.

The five year old cow which also won the Charolais female championship is out of a line of successful show cows and her dam was the home bred Mermaid. Aphrodite is by Mortimers Target.

Mortimers Farm runs a herd of 30 pedigree Charolais cattle.

And the NFU’s Mike Prest said he was delighted with the result on behalf of the 30 growers from across the Yorkshire region who contributed to the display.

“It is a combination of around 30 Yorkshire growers and it shows the quality of product that is produced in our county,” he said.

“Our message at the Great Yorkshire Show is that it makes sense to buy local – not only are we growing with the environment in mind, but fewer food miles also means fresher produce that is better for you and tastes better too,” he said.

The NFU’s exhibit not only includes a display of fruit and vegetables, but a wind turbine to highlight how growers are working to reduce the environmental footprint of fresh Yorkshire produce by harnessing renewable energy on one hand, and combining a range of energy and resource saving measures on the other.

Alongside wind power, other renewable energy technologies featured include solar power, anaerobic digestion and heat and power generation from agricultural ‘biomass’ crops such as willow, straw and miscanthus.

Garden Show Judges said it had been difficult deciding the overall winner, with a number of excellent exhibitors, but the “wow factor” of the NFU’s display won the day.

The new-look Garden Show, formerly the Flower Show, includes stunning displays from delphiniums to dahlias to vegetables.

The Show runs from Tuesday 13 – Thursday 15 July and takes place at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate when around 125,000 visitors are expected to come through the gates.

The entry figures bring the total number to 12,020, one of the highest in recent years. It compares favorably with 10,041 entries ten years ago and almost reaches last year’s all time high of 12,189.

Bill Cowling, Show Director said: “We have records in eight sections - cattle, sheep, pigs, angora goats, poultry, pigeons, horse shoeing and cheese. We're absolutely delighted as it is a clear indication of the high regard in which the show is held and our sales of advance tickets have been excellent.”

The show's advance ticket line has now closed although reduced priced tickets are still available - in person from the showground both at the show offices and at the Fodder shop and cafe, at selected Tourist Information Centres and at a number of Morrison Supermarkets. 

All the livestock classes have recorded record figures – cattle entries at 1,226 have shot up from just 844 a decade ago, sheep with 1,952 entries have increased by around 500 on the 2000 figure and pig numbers, at 406, are double those of ten years ago.  “We are now without doubt England's premier agricultural event with quality stock here in numbers,” said Bill Cowling.

In the Great Yorkshire Cheese and Dairy Show, sponsored by Morrisons, entries have rocketed since the section was re-introduced in 2002 with just 310 entries. This year 952 entries have been received, across a wide range of classes, including ice cream, soft and blue cheese, yoghurt, butter and milk.

Judging takes place over the three show days, with UK territorial cheese judged the previous day, Monday 12 July.

The Consumer’s Choice is always a popular class, with members of the public given the chance to pick their favourite cheese, chilled product and ice cream.

Pigeons are judged on Wednesday whilst the poultry classes are staged on Thursday only.

The gates open at 7.30am on Tuesday morning, parking is free and extensive, but organisers say, if possible, use public transport or car share. There are free shuttle buses from Harrogate Railway Station throughout the three days. Otherwise follow the signed routes.

The famous gardener is judging the finalists of the Show’s new Children’s Vegetable Garden Competition to decide the overall winner. Ms Walkden visits the three day countryside extravaganza next Wednesday (14 July). The Show attracts some 130,000 through the gates, with the new look Garden Show likely to prove a hit with visitors.

The competition was launched in April when some 30 schools were each given a metre square box, vegetable plants and seeds and compost to begin growing their vegetables.  The aim is to encourage youngsters to be more aware of where their food comes from and the value of healthy eating.

The growers of the eleven best boxes have been invited to bring them to the Garden Show at the Great Yorkshire Show for judging.  Christine will announce the winning school on Wednesday, and they will receive the Yorkshire Young Growers Shield. All schools will receive Great Yorkshire Show prize cards and vouchers from Moorland Nurseries, Knaresborough.

The finalists are:

• Woodthorpe Primary School in York
• Woodlands Junior School, Harrogate
• Redhill Junior School, Castleford
• North Rigton School near Harrogate
• Rufforth Primary School near York
• Barwick-in-Elmet C of E Primary School, Leeds
• St John’s C of E Primary School , Knaresborough
• Deighton Gates Primary in Wetherby
• Holy Trinity C of E Junior School , Ripon
• Warmsworth Primary, Doncaster
• Tickhill Estfield Primary School

The competition is organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society in co-operation with the National Farmers Union and Stockbridge Technology Centre near Selby. Bulrush Horticulture Ltd kindly provided the compost for schools.

With only a few days to go until England’s premier agricultural show opens its gates, organisers, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, are predicting a superb three days.

Bill Cowling, Honorary Show Director said: “We’re on track for a wonderful show. We have record entries in eight different sections, ticket sales are incredibly good, and our preparations around the showground are going well. We pride ourselves in presenting a quality event, from the standard of livestock to the tidiness of the site and I’m sure our 152^nd show will be a great three days.”

Dates are Tuesday 13 – Thursday 15 July and the flagship countryside event takes place at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate. Between 125,000 and 130,000 visitors are expected to attend.

Amongst them will be HRH The Princess Royal as guest of honour on Tuesday, when she will meet livestock exhibitors, visitors and staff around the showground. Television stars including celebrity chefs Rosemary Shrager and Ainsley Harriott will be present, along with national weather presenter, John Kettley. Christine Walkden, resident gardener for BBC’s The One Show will be casting her eye over the horticultural section, whilst Yorkshire Olympic hopefuls can be found on the catwalk in the Skipton Building Society Fashion Pavilion on Wednesday afternoon.  On Thursday, Defra Minister, Caroline Spelman will tour the showground. Peter Kendall and William Worsley, President of the NFU and the Country Land and Business Association respectively will be present, and also Stephen Wyrill, Vice Chairman of the Tenants Farmers Association

Around the showground there’s top class show jumping with the Ripon Select Foods Cock o’the North championship as the ultimate goal, a “new look” Garden Show, the vast food hall packed with every conceivable type of regional food and drink, whilst Northern Ballet Theatre and Phoenix Dance will give visitors the chance to improve their dance techniques through a series of workshops. The 8,000 plus animals competing across the classes provide the heart of the show, and the myriad of trade stands ensure there are plenty of shopping opportunities.