History

The first show of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS) was held in 1838 with the intention of exhibiting farm animals, machinery etc. The show was judged a success despite the requirement for the police to restore order after people tried to force their way in the show which was held in Fulford on the outskirts of York.

In following years the show was moved around Yorkshire returning only periodically to York, it took on the name Great Yorkshire Show in 1843. This peripatetic existence continued until 1950 when the costs of moving the show around every year became prohibitive. In that year the YAS purchased a permanent site at Harrogate and the first show at the new Great Yorkshire Showground was held in 1951.

The show has only rarely not been held, it was canceled between 1915 and 1919 due to WW1, between 1940 and 1948 due to WW2 and in 2001 due to Foot and Mouth. The show has now become very popular attracting well over 100,000 visitors each year.

Modern Times

The Great Yorkshire Show of recent times is very different form the early shows, with many stalls devoted to food, leisure, clothes, fashion and crafts as well as farm implements - these days in the form of huge combine harvesters etc. as well as more traditional smallholder tools.

The show is held every July across 3 days from Tuesday to Thursday and 2008 saw the 150th show attended by the Queen. Opening times are 7.30am and 7.30pm except the last day when the show closes at 4.00pm, parking is free and there is lots of transport from York, Leeds and other towns with shuttle buses from Harrogate rail and bus stations.

Events and Exhibits

Each day at the show has a range of events from animal classes, through show jumping and other events like dancing diggers, the parade of shire horses and hot air balloon launches. Some of my own personal highlights are one man and his pig and the sheep shearing competition.

Everyone has their own favourites amongst the animals on show which cover the whole spectrum of farm stock - the amazing Aberdeen Angus or Charolais cattle, the shire horses or the traditional breed pigs. Whichever is your favourite you will be able to see them at close quarters.

Travel

If you travel by car do be prepared for some long waits as Harrogate is not very well situated for road traffic being somewhat removed from all major motorways or even dual carraigeway A roads and the access roads are typical North Yorkshire country roads. Traffic management is pretty good but rail or bus can still be a better option particularly in wet weather when the predominantly grass car parks can make for interesting maneuvering.

Food

Food at the show is very varied. You can, of course get yourself a burger or fish and chips or you can branch out a little and sample some of the delights of the several Yorkshire food pavilions. Grab yourself a pork pie, some Swaledale cheese and a bottle of Yorkshire ale and find yourself a quiet spot to soak up the sun and atmosphere, recharging your batteries for the afternoon highlights.

In the afternoons you will find most of the main events in the main arena, culminating on the final day with the finale of the showjumping. Be sure to catch the live band and finish off your day with some great Yorkshire ice cream before making your weary way home.

A great example of the British agricultural show The Great Yorkshire Show has been around for many years and will be around for many more. Why not get yourself up to Yorkshire for the 2009 show?