Issue 80 - Autumn 2015

New Era for Showground

A new era has begun at the showground with work well underway for the new-look Hall 1. It was a case of “all systems go” as soon as the gates closed on the Great Yorkshire Show and the transformation has been continuing apace ever since.The £10m state-of-the-art hall will be finished before next July and the 2016 Great Yorkshire Show, meanwhile, the installation of the temporary DeBoer structure means that it’s very much business as usual for events taking place at the showground. The lettable space in new Hall 1 and Hall 2 will increase by around 20% from 5,372m² to 6,270m².

Heather Parry, the Society’s Deputy Chief Executive said: “This is the largest project the Society has ever undertaken and will not only enhance our two main shows, but position us fairly and squarely at the top of the national league of event venues.”

“With all profits from our commercial activities going back into supporting the Society’s charitable work, it’s good news for everyone, as well as being one of the most exciting times in our long history.”

Construction is being carried out by Scunthorpe-based Clugston Construction Ltd with the design by P+HS Architects of Stokesley.

• The new hall means an opportunity for a re-think of the layout for October’s Countryside Live, see page 3 for details.

Inside: Great Yorkshire Show 2015 Highlights • Harvest Service • Countryside Live 2015

Left to right: Adrian Taylor of P+HS Architects of Stokesley, Heather Parry, the Society’s Deputy Chief Executive and Nick Todd, Regional Business Unit Manager, Clugston as work begins on the new exhibition hall

www.yas.co.ukwww.yas.co.uk

The hugely popular Discovery Zone at the Great Yorkshire Show proved beyond doubt the value of the show as an educational experience with over 5,000 children visiting the event as part of a school group.

Later this year, more than 2,000 secondary school students are expected at ‘Careers in Focus’ on Tuesday 6 October, taking advantage of the opportunity to talk to a wide range of careers experts, businesses and colleges. As the global population increases and resources become depleted, the food and farming industry is looking to talented, knowledgeable individuals with innovative ideas to overcome these challenges and this event at the showground will open students’ eyes to the diverse careers available.

Wednesday 21st October 2015 is National Apple Day, which celebrates the British apple industry and the many varieties of this key fruit. Some 100 primary school children will be exploring our orchard at the Showground, learning more about apple production, enjoying apple crafts and of course, with plenty of apple tastings!

If you would like to get involved in any of our events contact Di Kirkman on 01423 546283 or email dik@yas.co.uk

Members and friends are warmly invited to join the Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s harvest thanksgiving service at 11.30am on Sunday 4 October at York Minster. The preacher is The Rev Dr Gordon Gatward who has spent much of his working life providing pastoral support to rural communities.

The Society’s Chaplain, Rev Canon Leslie Morley said: “The ‘Yorkshire Harvest’ is a wonderful annual celebration of the county’s agricultural produce, and an opportunity to give thanks for God’s blessings as well as for the work and skill of our farming community. This year we are delighted that the service will be in York Minister with the Minster Choir.”

He added: “Gordon Gatward is well known to many in Yorkshire. He was a Methodist Minister in Hawes and through his work at the Arthur Rank Centre, he was involved in establishing the Addington Fund and FCN (The Farming Community Network). An intelligent and lively preacher, he is well worth hearing.”

Members are also invited by the Country Land and Business Association to a post-service lunch at Merchant Taylors’ Hall. For more information and to book (before 18 September please) contact Sarah Lister at the CLA on 01748 907070.

Society’s Harvest Service

Busy Timetable for Education Department

The Society’s flagship autumn event, Countryside Live is on the horizon and promises a fun day out for all the family. Dates are Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October when thousands of visitors – including Society members - are expected at the showground to enjoy plenty of hands on activities as well as the chance to see top class livestock and exciting displays. Entry is free for YAS members, on production of your membership card.

This will be the 13th Countryside Live and entries are already coming in for the various sections including cattle, sheep, equine, poultry, pigeons and honey. Of course the popular Search for a Talented Show Jumper competition will again feature, hosted by Olympic experts, Graham and Tina Fletcher.

With the building of Hall 1 underway, visitors will notice that some of the usual locations have changed. The cattle can be found in the sheds used at the Great Yorkshire Show, the youngsters’ Create and Explore will be within the new temporary building opposite Hall 2 and close to the grandstand along with the honey section and trade stands. This will also be the base for Bjorn the Polar Bear who makes his debut at Countryside Live.

For the latest information see www.countrysidelive.co.uk Gates open at 9am and close at 5.30pm. Parking is free and extensive.

Please note dogs, other than assistance dogs are not allowed on the showground.

Elsewhere around the event attractions include:

• PonyRides• FerretRacing• HaveaGoArchery• Diggerland• DogAgilityDisplays• TheSheepShow• FruitandVegShow• BirdsofPreyDemonstrations

New President Makes Society HistoryFor the first time in the Society’s history the wife of a former President is following in her husband’s footsteps. Mrs Sarah York of Long Marston near York took over the staff of office in the closing ceremony of the Great Yorkshire Show. It is 25 years since her husband, Edward, was President, from July 1989 – 1990.During her year of office Mrs York will represent the Society at events, preside at meetings as well as providing guidance and support to the Board of Trustees. She is very much looking forward to her role, having been involved with the Society for more than 40 years.

A keen horsewoman, Mrs York competed at the Great Yorkshire Show as a child. She has been a member of the equine committee since the 1970s and a steward for many years. Mrs York, who breeds thoroughbred horses, is President of Sport Horse Breeding of Great Britain and a former steward of the British Horseracing Authority.

“It is a great honour to be asked to be President; I accompanied my husband on many of his engagements during his year of office, and now he will be accompanying me,” she said. She succeeds Lord Crathorne in the role.

LATEST FROM THE NETwORKAfter a successful Great Yorkshire Show – when a major highlight was seeing Leslie Morley presented with the YAS/RABI Award – our work continues apace.

As part of our Farming Ladder initiative, we are working with The Fresh Start Land Enterprise Centre for a Land Partnerships Workshop at Pavilions of Harrogate on Wednesday 16

September. This will include details of how the approach works, speakers experienced in supporting new innovations and collaboration options, plus inspiring case studies and opportunities to discuss ideas and discover more about the new matching service. Booking is essential at www.freshstartlandenterprise.org.uk

DIARY DATES:

wednesday 7 October: Women in Farming Network event at the showground exploring how we educate the public about food and farming. Speakers: Heather Copley (Farmer Copley’s Farmshop, Nr Pontefract), Caroline Bell (Acorn Dairy, Archdeacon Newton, Co. Durham), Jane Fowler (Rural Business Development Specialist) and Christine Ryder (Farmhouse B & B owner from Blubberhouses and Farmers Guardian columnist). Book by contacting kated@yas.co.uk

Thursday 26 November: Women in Farming meeting, supported by Barclays Agriculture, at Sandburn Hall, York from 11am. Book by contacting kated@yas.co.uk

December: Free farmer health MOTs at Thirsk Mart Christmas Fatstock Show. All farmers, staff and families are encouraged to attend and collect a free Fit for Farming health booklet.

See the latest news at: yas.co.uk/charitable-activities/yorkshire-rural-support-network

Our President,Mrs Sarah York

Learning more about the Livestock industry at Careers In Focus

Talented Show Jumper winner Lara Gorse riding Covenham Jade with judges Tina & Graham Fletcher

Dog AgilityBjorn the Polar Bear

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Celebrating excellence in agriculture lies at the heart of the Society and the Great Yorkshire Show is the ideal occasion to acknowledge this. All the individuals below received their awards at the Show; in addition long service awards were presented and also to the best agriculture students in the region.

What a GREAT show!Supreme Beef Champion:British Blue female, Tweedale Hawkeye shown by Redhead and Watson of Northumberland, after taking the breed championship.

Supreme Dairy Champion:David Wright’s Holstein, Mikali Seaver, from Kendal, Cumbria.

Supreme Sheep Champion: A Charollais ram, Rhaeadr Knock, owned by Charles and Valerie Marwood of Whenby, York.

BPA Pig of the Year:Stephen and Hayley Loveless of Dorset, with a Duroc boar, Portbredy Top Drawer 1171.

Supreme Pig Champion: A 12 month old Hampshire boar, Coalyeat Peterbilt, from John Sutcliffe, of Ulverston.

Ripon Select Foods Cock o’the North Showjumping Championship: Douglas Duffin riding Richard Jenkinson’s Quidam BZ.

Cuddy Supreme Championship: An Irish Draught chestnut filly, Leyward Diamond Jubilee, owned by Mrs S Hollins of York.

The Champion Ridden Hunter:Robert Walker, riding a six-year-old lightweight gelding, Pride of Place.

Supreme Dairy Product:Ryeburn of Helmsley for their raspberry, toffee and meringue ice cream.

Supreme Cheese award:Tom Walker and Sons of Stockton on Tees for their Rougette Bavarian Red.

Garden Show, Doncaster Cup for the Best Exhibit: Chrysanthemums Direct of Cheshire.

ShoW RESulTS IncludEd:

Royal visitors, national media coverage, record livestock entries and an increase in visitor numbers were just some of the elements which combined to make the 2015 Great Yorkshire Show a huge success.

The 157th show was memorable for many reasons with the combination of the innovative and the traditional ensuring that those three days in July were amongst the best in the Society’s history.

Highlights included: • HRH The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall who toured the show on the first day• Famous faces from the small screen including BBC’s The One Show with Matt Baker, Alex Jones and Yorkshire chef, James Martin – the programme broadcast live from the event. Filming in the pig and sheep sections with Blue Peter presenters, Barney Harwood and Radzi Chinyanganya. Plus cooking queen, Rosemary Shrager was with us for the three days• Record numbers of cattle, sheep and pigs – almost 4,000 in total• A taste of summer as the sun shone over the three days And 132,131 people attended, one of the highest figures in recent years.

It was also memorable for the ceremonial handover of the role of show director from Bill Cowling, after a decade at the helm, to Charles Mills at the close of the Great Yorkshire. Charles has had a long association with the Society, most notably as a cattle steward, member of Council, Chair of the judging panel of the Tye Trophy competition and as Chair of the Yorkshire Food and Farming Network.

And don’t forget to make a note of the dates for next year: Tuesday 12 – Thursday 14 July, 2016.

From L to R: Tim Fothergill, of Easby, Richmond winner of the 2015 Tye Trophy Award. The Rev Canon Leslie Morley awarded the RABI and YAS Award for his contribution to the rural community. White Rose Award Overall Champion Daniel Joyce of Ifor Williams Trailers for the Business in a Box idea. Winners of the YAS Awards. Trade stand award winner Brian Robinson of Brian Robinson Machinery with judges John Henderson and John Penty.

Bill’s buggy gets a makeover

Alex Jones and Matt Baker from The One Show

Blue Peter presenters Radzi and Barney with young handler winners

Maasai Mara warriorsNeil Blyth with Marwood Joblot and Emma Andrews with Holstead Imagine with Stuart Menzies from Asda

Supreme Dairy Champion, Tom walker & Son, collected by Nick Reader, for Rougette Bavarian Red, produced by Kaserei Champignon

Cock o’the North winner Douglas Duffin riding Richard Jenkinson’s Quidam BZ

www.yas.co.uk

who will be the DY Taste Champions for 2015? Autumn is a busy time for the Deliciouslyorkshire (DY) team particularly with the flagship event The Taste Awards ceremony taking place on wednesday 21 October hosted by DY Chair, Judy Bell and BBC Radio 2’s food expert, Nigel Barden.

The Awards are run in association with the Yorkshire Post, and celebrate the best of the county’s food and drink. They are an opportunity for producers and businesses to showcase their products to a huge audience. Short-listing and judging took place in August with a panel of experts including Nigel Barden, local chefs and industry leaders. The honour of being crowned a “Taste Champion” is always highly prized.

Year round DY provides a programme of events and training opportunities for members to help grow and develop their businesses, including special stand rates at a number of agricultural and food shows. The Great Yorkshire Show is just one of many events where the excellence of regional food is highlighted by DY members.

Training and networking is also a key feature in DY’s annual programme and members can benefit from a range of training opportunities in everything from food labelling to visual merchandising as well as regular networking and ‘meet the producer’ events.

With Christmas on the horizon, DY members will be full speed ahead to keep up with the seasonal rush and many will be taking pitches at St Nicholas Christmas Fayre in Parliament Street, York. This begins on Thursday 19 November for five weeks in the run up to the festive season. Be sure to call in and try the wonderful local food and drink.

Further information on the benefits of becoming a Deliciouslyorkshire member as well as all the latest news and events from our members, visit www.delicioulsyorkshire.co.uk

Cheese & Wine Evening

Judy Bell of Shepherds Purse Cheeses along with wine supplier

Martin Jeffrey, will be talking about the perfect cheese and wine pairings, whilst you enjoy

sampling them.

Tickets can be purchased at the shop or by calling 01423 546111

Open Call Night wednesday 23 SeptemberDo you make your own gifts or food delicacies and would like to sell your products in Fodder? Then come to our Open Call event on Wednesday 23 September. Book in between 6pm and 7.30pm to showcase your products to our buying team, and get immediate feedback. For more information and to register please email enquiries@fodder.co.uk

Christmas Extravaganza wednesday 25 NovemberJoin us for our Christmas Extravaganza and enjoy some Fodder treats! Taking place between 6pm and 8pm, visitors can pick up some top tips, a treat or two and make an early start on Christmas shopping, plus get 10% off your shopping on the evening! You can also place your Christmas hamper orders or purchase a voucher for that relative who’s always hard to buy for…

EventsDiary

BBC Radio 2’s food expert, Nigel Barden

Yorkshire Agricultural Society, Regional Agricultural Centre, Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate HG2 8NZ • t: 01423 541000 • f: 01423 541414 • e: info@yas.co.ukw: www.yas.co.uk • Registered Charity No. 513238 • Company Reg No. 1666751 • VAT Reg No. 613 0480 81 • Registered in England as a company limited by guarantee

dATE EvEnT oRGAnISER TEl no vEnuE TypE

SEpTEMBER

Fri 18th - Sun 20th Harrogate Autumn Flower Show 01423 546157 Y PublicFri 25th - Sat 26th Harrogate Gift and Fashion Fair 01367 860017 Y PublicSat 26th - Sun 27th Harrogate Health and Healing Festival 01405 769875 P PublicSat 26th - Sun 27th Northern Impressionist Artist Including ‘Staithes Group’ 01642 782599 P Public

ocToBER

Thurs 1st Feather, Smailes and Scales Property Auction 01423 534183 P PublicFri 2nd - Sat 3rd The Great Create Extravaganza 0113 2877794 Y PublicTues 6th Careers in Focus 01423 546283 Y PublicWeds 7th Brand Yorkshire Business Conference & Exhibition 0113 2346609 P TradeSun 11th Craft Butcher and Baker Extravaganza 01706 825596 Y TradeWed 14th - Thurs 15th The white Company Clearance Sale 07715 568663 P PublicSat 17th - Sun 18th Countryside Live 01423 546204 Y PublicSun 18th Yorkshire Bridal Fair 01423 709610 P TradeSat 24th - Sun 25th Homes and Interiors 0208 4418474 Y PublicSun 25th Harrogate Beadwork Fair www.beadwork.net P Public

novEMBER

Sat 7th - Sun 8th Yorkshire Antiques and Art Fair 01274 588505 Y PublicThurs 12th - Fri 15th Crafts for Christmas 01428 684494 Y Public

Fri 20th – Sun 22nd North of England woodworking & Power Tool Show 01444 536535 Y Public

dEcEMBER

Tues 1st - Weds 23rd Christmas Tree Sales 07957 617240 Y Public

Sat 5th - Sun 6th Nutcracker Dance Tour info@nutcracker-tour.co.uk Y PublicThurs 10th Feather, Smailes & Scales Property Auction 01423 534183 P Public

Fri 20th – Sun 22nd Nutcracker Dance Tour info@nutcracker-tour.co.uk Y PublicFri 11th Christmas Party Night 01423 544544 P Public

Fri 18th Christmas Party Night 01423 544544 P Public

Sat 19th Christmas Party Night 01423 544544 P Public

Venue: Y = Yorkshire Event Centre • P = Pavilions of Harrogate

Note: The information is correct at time of publication. Yorkshire Event Centre Ltd accepts no responsibility for any omissions, alterations, cancellations etc. Please check with the organisers to verify details prior to planning your visit. Thank you

PAVILIONS OF HARROGATE & YORKSHIRE EVENT CENTRE

dIARy oF EvEnTS 2015

The Farmer-Scientist Network hosted its first event during the Great Yorkshire Show focussing on black-grass infestation, with industry experts Prof. Rob Edwards (Network Chairman), Prof. Rob Freckleton, Dr Paul Neve, and, Oxfordshire farmer, Mr Tom Allen-Stevens sharing their knowledge and experiences.

Farmers were able to learn more about an ever increasing, and costly, problem and offer valuable feedback which will help shape future research. For more information see the Black-grass Resistance Initiative: www.bgri.info, or email: paul.neve@rothamsted.ac.uk or twitter: @BlackGrassRI

The Network has developed a series of groups called ‘Profit and Innovation Platforms’ which are exploring key issues raised by Yorkshire farmers . To date three are making particular headway. One group is investigating the impact on the agricultural industry should Britain take the decision to leave the EU. This group comprises leading economists and specialists in agricultural policy and will report back this autumn. The second is exploring crop protection and the impact of withdrawal of pesticides, and investigating alternatives. We are currently looking for farmers, policy makers, agronomists, plant breeders, academics and industry leaders to contribute to this study. The third will examine Northern hill sheep health and welfare, focussing on the impact of the agri-environmental agreements drawn up for fell and moorland sites that have affected hefting and reduced sheep numbers.

If you would like any further information, or would like to join the Farmer-Scientist Network, please contact Holly Jones, email: hollyj@yas.co.uk

looking to the Future with The Farmer-Scientist network