YAS Winter Newsletter - January 2023

LORENZO ANNOUNCED AS MAIN RING PERFORMER AT GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOW 2023

Star performer Lorenzo is set to wow crowds once again when he takes to the Main Ring at the Great Yorkshire Show in 2023.

The incredible horseman is a huge hit with visitors to the show and last appeared in 2018, performing to a packed Showground.

Planning is underway for the 164th Show, on Tuesday 11 to Friday 14 July, 2023, with tickets sold in advance and visitor numbers capped at 35,000 a day. Tickets are on sale now.

The 2022 Great Yorkshire Show sold out a week before the event.

Charles Mills, Show Director, said: “Lorenzo is a real class act and always draws in the crowds with his incredible performances. Visitor tickets are on sale now for this year’s Great Yorkshire Show. Look out for more announcements in the coming months.”

Visitors can expect the best animals in the country competing including in prestigious national breed shows. As well as the latest farm machinery, the best of Yorkshire food and first-class entertainment will also help to celebrate the very best of farming, food and the countryside.

The event will continue to be run over four days thanks to positive feedback from our visitors and exhibitors. Farmer tickets will be available for the 2023 show and will be available from farming outlets in January.

Tickets prices: Adults £32, Children (aged 5-18) £13 and Families (2 adults and up to 3 children) £80. To book tickets, please go online: greatyorkshireshow.co.uk/ticket-information

Don’t forget: members get access every day to the Great Yorkshire Show, no need to book. You also get preferential parking and 5% off in our farm shop café Fodder all year round (cannot be used in conjunction with a Fodder loyalty card).

At the heart of farming, food and the countryside.

DOCTOR TURNED FARMER EXPLORES MAXIMISING NUTRIENT DENSITY OF FOOD

First-generation Yorkshire farmer Dr Hannah Fraser is combining her passion for growing with her medical training after being awarded a prestigious international scholarship, sponsored by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

Hannah, 26, of Denby Hall Farm near Cawthorne is embarking on a Nuffield Farming Scholarship to explore ‘Displacing empty calories with nutrient dense food’.

In doing so, Hannah, who recently completed her foundation training as a junior doctor, is setting out to understand how UK farmers can be rewarded for agricultural practices that promote the nutrient density of the food they produce.

Since 1980, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society has sponsored Nuffield Farming Scholarships which provide the opportunity to study and travel abroad, and explore cutting edge developments in the industry.

Hannah will start her scholarship journey by visiting Canada and the USA. She plans to meet agricultural, scientific and academic experts, and following months of research, she will present her findings to peers to influence positive change.

Hannah and husband Alex jumped at the chance to take the tenancy of his family’s Denby Hall Farm four years ago, which extends to more than 260 acres, and they recently took on 200-acre Jowett House Farm.

Hannah and Alex, and his brother Rob, have built an organic arable farm, operating a simple system of growing grass-clover cover crops to lock nitrogen into the soil and promote healthy root structures, in rotation with cereal crops. They have adopted minimum tillage to limit soil disturbance and are introducing agroforestry to further improve soil quality and promote biodiversity.

As a forward-thinking farmer with first-hand experience of chronic health issues as a junior doctor, Hannah is excited about the role farmers can play in boosting the nation’s health.

Hannah, whose Scholarship is also sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers said: “My ambition is to help bridge the gap between food producers and healthcare providers. The degree of chronic disease is huge and the impact on people’s quality of life is massive.

“My study will look at whether farmers can farm in particular ways to produce more nutritionally dense food, what relationships we need to build, as farmers, with supermarkets and the wider supply chain, and what we need as consumers. Ultimately, if we can produce and consume more nutrient dense food, this could be a way of helping patients suffering from chronic disease and it could even go some way to reducing the prevalence of some diseases in the first place.”

Yorkshire Agricultural Society CEO Allister Nixon said: “We are proud to sponsor Hannah’s Scholarship journey and look forward to following Hannah’s progress.”

Yorkshire Agricultural Society CEO, Allister Nixon and Nuffield Scholar, Dr Hannah Fraser

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society is sad to say farewell to a much-loved member of the team, Kate Dale, who is leaving after 14 years.

Kate’s time at the Yorkshire Agricultural Society has been marked by excellence, having nurtured and evolved the valuable work of the Yorkshire Rural Support Network and the Women In Farming Network with great distinction during her service.

Kate has no plans to retire but will take a short break before investing her time and energy into her next chapter and we wish her the very best of luck!

TRAINING SUPPORT PROGRAMME FOR FARMING AND RURAL SMES IN NORTH YORKSHIRE

Heavily subsidised training opportunities are being offered to support rural and farming SMEs in North Yorkshire by the Yorkshire Food Farming and Rural Network.

The Network’s Training Support Programme has been launched after it secured legacy funding from the Partnership Investment Fund Limited. The Programme aims to enhance knowledge in basic business skills and support businesses in gaining accredited practical skills training, to enhance and retain a skilled work force in North Yorkshire’s farming and rural communities.

FREE FARMER HEALTH CHECKS

The Field Nurse team will be offering free health checks for farmers and family members at both the Ripon Farm Services Open Days on Wednesday 18 January, and at the Yorkshire Agricultural Machinery Show on Wednesday 8 February, 10am – 3pm.

Offering quick and simple checks, such as measuring blood pressure and cholesterol, these health checks are convenient opportunities for busy farmers to get a quick health MOT.

Training will be offered in various locations across rural North Yorkshire until March 2023 and is focused around six themes: Environmental, Health and Safety, Farm business skills and accounting, Mental health and well-being, Countryside education, and Local food producers accredited courses.

To apply for training, you must be self-employed or employed by an SME based in rural North Yorkshire Authority area, and be able to contribute 20% of the cost towards the course or training.

For details of all the latest training opportunities, visit yas.co.uk/sme-training-support

FREE TEACHER TRAINING COURSES

Our next free teacher training courses at the Great Yorkshire Showground will take place on dates in March and include topics such as ‘Where does my food come from?’ and using outdoor learning to support pupils of all abilities.

Fully subsidised by YAS as part of our charitable activities, details of these Spring Term courses are available at yas.co.uk/training-courses

SOCIETY NEEDS YOU!

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society is calling out to members to join its governing body and help shape its future. Formed in 1837, the Society is steeped in tradition and is looking to build on strong foundations to drive it forward. The Council meets four times a year and are elected directly by members.

The Council elects Trustees as well as advising and guiding the Society in all activities and events

including the Great Yorkshire Show and its charitable support of the farming community.

Any member can be nominated to stand for election for a three-year period and this will be voted on by members in each area.

To get involved, please fill out the enclosed application form or contact Jayne Dyer on 01423 546201 or email jayned@yas.co.uk

HOME SHOW HEADING FOR GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOWGROUND IN 2023

Organisers of the UK’s biggest outdoor holiday home show HERCMA (Hull & East Riding of Yorkshire Caravan Manufacturers Association), have announced a new venue for 2023 - the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate.

The outdoor show of holiday homes, caravans and motorhomes, is set to get a brand-new look, with exciting fresh content to be announced nearer the time.

Rebranded as The Great Holiday Home Show, it will be held from Friday 8 September to Sunday 10 September for the public followed by a trade-only show from Tuesday 12 September to Thursday 14 September.

The showcase will see all major NCC manufacturers launch their latest models to the public as well as to parks, dealers and distributors from across the UK.

The event formally known as The Lawns Show was first held in 1976 and it is moving from Hull to the 250-acre Great Yorkshire Showground which will allow more manufacturers to attend than ever before, making it the largest outdoor holiday home show in the UK. Richard Jones, Chairman of HERCMA said “This is an exciting time for the industry as we bring everyone together to put on a comprehensive show, in a central location for an industry that is constantly evolving. The show will be managed for us by the organisers of the Great Yorkshire Show, one of the UK’s biggest events.”

Heather Parry, Managing Director at the Great Yorkshire Showground said: “We are delighted to be hosting and managing The Great Holiday Home Show, this is a significant event for the industry, set in the heart of the UK at a venue that boasts acres of outdoor space along quality indoor space too. Happily, David Ritchie who has managed the event for over 20 years will continue to work with us as the show advisor as the show moves to its new venue.”

David Ritchie said: “This show is in my blood and it is wonderful to see it develop at a new venue and work with a new team as it continues to expand”. All enquiries should be directed to www.thegreatholidayhomeshow.co.uk or email mike@ghhs.co.uk