The final day of the 2024 Great Yorkshire Show saw Charles Mills bid farewell after nine years as show director.

He handed over to new director Rachel Coates at the closing ceremony of the 165th show on Friday, before Yorkshire Agricultural Society president Martin Cockerill handed over to Geoff Brown.

Charles said: “This has been a wonderful nine years, it has been a pleasure to be the show director of the Great Yorkshire Show and my highlight has to be the people. I have so enjoyed working with the team and meeting so many amazing people during my time here.

"I feel very grateful and very proud and I wish Rachel every success with the role.”

The four-day event was attended by thousands of visitors and saw high quality stock from across the country competing in the show rings.

Crowds were also thrilled to see a marriage proposal in the pole climbing competitions.

The professional winner was James Oakley, who completed the climb in 13.13 seconds. After the final, Peri Dunford, 38, waited until boyfriend Mark Jones had scaled the full height of the competition pole before getting down on one knee – in front of a cheering audience. She popped the big question – and he said yes.

The novice title went to Patrick McCoy, who completed the climb in 17.08 seconds. It was his first competition win, which means he goes from a novice to a professional for his next competition.

In the Hives and Honey section, the supreme champion title went to Sally Fairweather, from Sheriff Hutton, who won with her bees wax block, not honey. She has been keeping bees about 12 years and uses her bees wax to make furniture polish, lip balm, and cosmetics, as well as selling it.

She said: “I’m really pleased to win. You put a lot of time, effort and work into producing your exhibition. To be the best in show is fantastic.”