County showcase

FROM THE VERY BEST OF BRITISH LIVESTOCK, FIRST-CLASS PERFORMANCES, AND LOCAL ART AND FASHION ENTERTAINMENT, THE GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOW HAS SO MUCH TO OFFER, WRITES IRIS ADAMS.

The countdown is now on for the 164th Great Yorkshire Show, which takes place 11-14 July and celebrates the very best of farming, food and countryside.

This year at the show, a Yorkshire artist will be working on a portrait with a difference. Janette Hill, who lives near York, will be painting a portrait of this year’s Supreme Sheep Champion, which will be announced on Thursday 13 July. The winning sheep will be selected from 3,525 entries, a record-high amount for the show.

Janette has a long association with the show as her parents, Rob and Beryl Andrews, were stewards in the Hives and Honey section for nearly 30 years and visit whenever they can. She said: “To be involved in some way means a lot to me and my parents and, as I am not a beekeeper, this is my way of contributing.”

Janette only began planning to paint full-time in 2020 after teaching at a primary school for many years. She trained at an art college and gained a degree in art and primary education and when she finally decided to leave teaching, she found herself in the first Covid lockdown. Undeterred, she taught painting and drawing classes online to adults during the pandemic and after winning the 2022 North York Moors Art Supporters’ Choice Award is now painting full-time.

She takes her inspiration from the Yorkshire landscape and environment and is looking forward to getting to know the Supreme Sheep and its owners in the course of painting its portrait. She said: “I chose to paint sheep because sheep are very much a part of the landscape I am used to working in. It will be great to work with the owners who will be very proud of their animal and I hope to produce something really special for them.”

Janette will travel to the owner’s farm, wherever that turns out to be, and work with them to discuss what type of painting they would like. She has a stand at the Show for the first time and visitors can see a selection of her original paintings and limited edition prints.

Charles Mills, Show Director, said: “This has been a big year for the sheep section and we are grateful to Janette for her wonderful gesture for the prestigious Supreme Champion title.”

Another exciting aspect of this year’s Great Yorkshire Show is the return of its highly acclaimed fashion show entitled, “From Sheep To Chic”, which will be relocated to the shearing stage as it focuses on the use of British wool. The show, every day at 12.30pm, will highlight the link between the sheep we see in the fields and the creation of stylish wool garments.

The fashion shows will feature garments from a range of suppliers including tailors Brook Taverner who are kindly sponsoring the shows. There are also collections provided by British wool brand partners, designer knitwear from Skipton-based Joan Murray and garments from Thirsk-based Galijah. The show also welcomed back Mary Benson, who first became involved in the Great Yorkshire Show as a student fifteen years ago and went on to work with British fashion designer and couturier Alexander McQueen, and then launch her own brand.

To model the clothes, 12 out of 70 applicants were chosen and will join professionals at the event modelling top brands, including collections from several Yorkshire-based designers.

Bernadette Gledhill, Fashion Show Coordinator, said: “We were absolutely thrilled at the response to our call out for models. I can’t wait to see them all in the live fashion shows.” Luke Johnson, one of the models said about the rehearsal: “I absolutely loved it. It was totally amazing. I do a bit of acting but I have never modelled, so this was something very different. I now can’t wait for the real thing!”

Similarly, Louisa Holstead said how much she enjoyed the day: “It’s the first time I’ve done anything like this so I was a bit nervous but everyone was so friendly and it was good to meet all the other models.”

The more traditional aspects of the show will see the best of British livestock competing when Beef Shorthorn, Charolais and Longhorn Cattle Societies all host their national competitions at the show. There will also be new sheep breed classes with Badger Face Texel and Castlemilk Moorit.

In the main ring, the incredible horseman Lorenzo will be performing. Elsewhere in the showground, sheepdog trials and the cheese show will take place once again. The incredible horseman is a huge hit with visitors to the show and last appeared in 2018, performing to a packed Showground.

TV presenter Christine Talbot will be back with daily chat shows in the GYS Stage, followed by book signings afterwards. Adam Henson will be appearing on Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12, while Matt Baker MBE will be a special guest on Thursday 13 and Peter Wright will be on stage on Friday 14 July.

Charles Mills, Show Director, added: “Already this year’s show is shaping up to be really exciting, with some of the best livestock in the country competing as well as some great entertainment from some well-known names in the farming industry.”

This year, the Great Yorkshire Show has so much to offer. From the very best of British livestock, first-class performances, and local art and fashion entertainment all set in the wonderful landscape of Harrogate. The Show is England’s premier agricultural event, organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society which supports the farming industry through health care, business, education and scientific research.

To find out more, visit greatyorkshireshow.co.uk

Ticket information:

Tickets are on sale now and visitor numbers are capped at 35,000 a day.

Tickets are: Adults £32, Children £13 and Families £80

To book tickets, please go online https://greatyorkshireshow.co. uk/ticket-information/