Driving rain failed to stop the show from going on as Britain’s biggest agricultural event got underway and 35,000 people put up their brollies and turned out for the Great Yorkshire Show.
It was the 165th show, with 8.500 animals competing for some of the biggest livestock and countryside trophies in the country. Run as a celebration of food, countryside and agriculture, the show has farming at its centre, running alongside entertainment, shopping, live music and fashion.
Despite the rain which drowned the ground until late in the afternoon very few events were cancelled, as crowds, competitors and animals battled on. Charles Mills, Show Director, said: “Despite a damp start to the Show, visitors were out in force and we have enjoyed a great day which showcased how British agriculture strives to thrive whatever the weather. We are looking forward to a better forecast for the week and to the world class competitions and stories of success to come.”
Many farmers come to the show for the duration, it’s on for four days until Friday. Paul of Juaul Farms in Great Ayton, said it had been a trying day but only for the humans, His family brought four shorthorn heifers for their first appearance at the Great Yorkshire with one carrying off fifth place.
He said: “The rain bothers us but it doesn’t bother the cattle, they are quite happy, they don’t seem to mind. It does make it harder for the show organisers, I feel sorry for them they put so much hard work into this and they do an absolutely brilliant job.”
At the Topspec White Rose ring crowds gathered to watch the working hunter horses.
Alison Mason of Elite Equine Tack Emporium who came with her six-year-old daughter and friends said: “There have been a lot of clear rounds, you would think because the ground is sticky after so much rain there would have been more problems.
”This is a qualifier for the Horse of the Year Show and it’s really competitive, I think everyone is quite happy to stand in the rain and watch. We’ve had a lovely day, we came with our coats and brollies and it’s such a privilege to see these amazing horses.”
Farmers daughter and TV presenter Helen Skelton star of Blue Peter, BBC This Morning and Countryfile shared many of her memories of growing up on a farm in an interview with Yorkshire TV’s Christine Talbot. She returned home with her three young children to live near her parents farm and says grandparents make the world go round.
She added: “My dad used to sleep in the barn to protect his girls, that’s his cow’s not me. I grew up in a house where if you weren’t mucky you weren’t having a good time. While men don’t believe it, it is true that women are much better at lambing because they have smaller hands.
“It is amazing what sorties get around when you are on television, my dad came back from golf and said he had been told I was worth £6m, I said ‘oh am I,’ you wouldn’t be my babysitter if I was. I loved growing up on a farm, when you do you know problems happen, you don’t panic.
“Even though it might be raining like it is today, you just get on with it, the sun will come out in the end, and the world still keeps going round.I love coming to the Great Yorkshire show, we are all here because we love farming and we love animals, it is a real privilege, it’s a phenomenal event.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here