Record-breaking show forecast (From Gazette & Herald)

Record-breaking show forecast

RECORDS could be broken at this year's Great Yorkshire Show, say the organisers.

As visitors in their thousands streamed through the gates on opening day, honorary show director Christopher Hall was excited by the prospects for the first "full" show following the foot and mouth crisis.

Although the event went ahead last year, some of the livestock classes were down because farms were still recovering the effects of foot and mouth.

With crowds queuing outside the gates at 7.30am, Mr Hall said: "We have had excellent livestock entries, well up on last year, a total sell-out on trade stands, and the weather looks fine, so that is all well and good. We are hoping to exceed last year's gate of 125,000."

Yorkshire Agricultural Society chief executive Nigel Pulling said: "We are expecting a bumper crowd and a hugely successful day.

"After all the preparation, it is great to see it all come together. There are hundreds and hundreds of people involved, and so much hard work. Today's a great day."

Besides top class livestock, food, fashion and displays at the 145th show, the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate, is a forum for debate on the top agricultural issues of the day.

Government ministers were accused of showing a complete lack of interest in the rural economy by failing to visit the show. The Country Land and Business Association's regional director Dorothy Fairburn said: "It is extremely disappointing that no-one will be there. It shows they just don't care !"

But a Government spokeswoman said the non-appearance by ministers was because of the recent Government reshuffle, which had unforeseen implications for their diaries and reduced their opportunities to attend shows this year. "This situation does not indicate a reduced commitment to rural issues in Yorkshire, or any other part of the country."

Updated: 10:21 Wednesday, July 09, 2003