A great Yorkshire show (From Gazette & Herald)

A great Yorkshire show

THIS year's Great Yorkshire Show saw the most visitors through the gates since 1979.

The three-day show was attended by 127,152 people, the fourth highest figure in the show's 145-year history.

Nigel Pulling, Yorkshire Agricultural Society chief executive, said: "Last year we had an excellent attendance figure of 125,793 and this year's numbers are a strong indication that the recovery from the trauma of foot and mouth is well underway."

Honorary show director Christopher Hall said: "It has been one of the most successful shows in recent years, particularly as on the Wednesday there was probably the greatest number of people through the gates in the history of the show.

"The quality of livestock and horses has been excellent and many people have been very complimentary about the organisation and benefit to the entire area of the event.

"Obviously, having this huge quantity of people puts great strain on the traffic network and we do thank our visitors for being so good-natured, while we continue to look at new ways of coping with the situation.

"But in a way. we are victims of our own success, and the mere fact of this shows that it has been a hugely successful show."

In response to claims about bad behaviour by some show-goers, Mr Pulling said he was extremely concerned about the reports and wanted to know more about them. He urged those affected to write to show organisers so they could hold an investigation.

At the show, North Yorkshire farm workers who had notched up more than 35 years for their employers were honoured by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

A total of 15 were honoured by the society at the Great Yorkshire Show, with a grand total of 589 years' service between them. Each received an engraved tankard and life admittance to the show to mark their achievements.

Among them was Graham Johnson, an agricultural worker from Birdsall Estate with 35 years service, who said: "I have been quite happy there, which is why I stayed my whole working life.

"I enjoy the job, being with the work force, and get on with my employers.

"For so many of us on the estate, we joined from school and have spent our lives there."

Also among the long-serving farm workers were Alan Baker, Malton, served 35 years; Paul Botterill, Kirkbymoorside, 43 years; Graham Johnson, Malton, 35 years; Michael Richardson, Helmsley, 39 years; and Brian Wilson, Helmsley, 46 years.

Updated: 11:44 Wednesday, July 16, 2003