Great Yorkshire Show marches on (From Gazette & Herald)

Great Yorkshire Show marches on

Plans are well underway for the 2004 Great Yorkshire Show, one of the premier events on the British summer calendar.

The show runs this year from Tuesday, July 13, to Thursday, July 15, when the organisers, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, expect more than 120,000 visitors to come through the gates.

A showcase for the best and latest in the farming industry, a snapshot of the many different elements of the countryside and a packed programme of entertainment all combine to provide a great day out.

The animals remain at the heart of the event with more than 8,000 expected to enter the competitive classes, ranging from international show jumpers to champion bulls to exotic poultry while there will also be hundreds of stands across the showground.

Highlights include a display by The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, a parade of vintage Rolls Royces, a display by the Mounted Games Association and a performance by The King's Division Waterloo Band.

A new dimension to the show is The Alternative Farming Centre. The former "Arable Area" has been re-focused to give a more 21st century feel. The centre will include demonstration crops such as oilseed rape grown for biodiesel fuel, camelina - important in the cosmetics industry - and spring barley grown for malting. In addition, there will be dry stone walling and examples of wrought ironwork.

Katy Cropper is bringing her entertaining sheepdog display to the country pursuits area; and there will be demonstrations of fly fishing, gun dog training and falconry, all centred in the natural amphitheatre overlooking the casting ponds. Beagles, foxhounds, lurchers, terriers and ferrets will all be featured.

In the equestrian section, the show is once again a qualifying event for the Cuddy Supreme In Hand Championship with the FW Furness Trophy the prize for the Great Yorkshire winner. More than 1,500 horse and pony entries are expected to compete across a wide range of classes.

Top class show jumpers will again be heading to Harrogate with the prestigious grande finale being The Cock O'the North Championship.

The parade of hounds featured on the Thursday will focus on the future of hunting. As well as the traditional involvement by several of the region's hunts, it is hoped that youngsters from hunt pony clubs and puppy walkers will also take part.

There will be many other things to see or take part in at the show, from an art show to delving into the delights of the food hall.

Tickets on the gate cost £15 for adults with £11 for concessions and a family ticket (two adults and three children) costs £40. There are savings on tickets purchased in advance. Parking is free but dogs are not allowed on the showground. The ticket hotline number is (01423) 541222 or the general show telephone number is (01423) 541000. If you travel by train and buy your rail and show tickets in advance, there are further discounts available by contacting Arriva Trains Northern on (0870) 602 3322. A free shuttle bus service runs to and from Harrogate Railway Station to the showground every 20 minutes. For more information, visit www.greatyorkshireshow.org.

Updated: 11:57 Wednesday, May 12, 2004