ICE CREAM sellers may have bemoaned the thick blanket of cloud shrouding the Great Yorkshire Showground for much of yesterday, but in the livestock pens, shearing sheds and cattle rings the lack of sun was something of a blessing. At least the feared deluge didn't materialise; if anything, conditions were perfect for day one of this year's Great Yorkshire Show.

The crowds weren't deterred by the cloud, either. Indeed organisers are hoping to welcome 130,000 spectators over the three days, lured by record entries for the country’s 'premier' agricultural showcase.

But for many, yesterday's highlights had little to do with farming. The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall drew the largest crowd of the day. Then there was the fashion show, featuring designs from students across the region and already successful designers. These shows are running every day from 11am until 4pm in the lifestyle arena.

Stilton and Wensleydale fans weren't disappointed either, with the cheese show's first ever programme of cookery demonstrations featuring Michelin-starred chefs Andrew Pern and James Mackenzie taking to the stage.

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More firsts this year are the blacksmith's beginners taster sessions at The Forge – very popular, yesterday, with young lads, while the inaugural Shetland Pony Grand National was more to their sisters' tastes.

In fact there is something for every taste at this year's show, from gardening to demonstrations of country skills. Master classes of a different kind are on offer all week at the Game Cookery Theatre and don't miss the show jumping in the Main Ring.

But we mustn't forget that this is an agricultural show and on parade this week are some of Britain’s finest cattle, pigs, prize winning bulls, together with and contests such as the sheep-shearing competition, which for the first time has hosted Icelandic shearers as well as New Zealand and Australian competitors.

The cattle classes are particularly impressive this year with 1,211 entries and already we have had one of the week's highlights in yesterday's Supreme Beef Championship. Today its the turn of the Supreme Dairy and, in the Main Ring, the grand parade of cattle.

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As Bill Cowling, the show director says, this remains England’s flagship agricultural event in terms of the sheer quality of the competitive entries, as well as the large numbers.

"It bodes well for the farming industry that so many exhibitors are committed to excellence and to showing our visitors the best of the best," he says. "Whether that is a champion bull, a champion rabbit or the fastest and most skilful show jumper. Excellence is what the Great Yorkshire Show is all about.”

The sun did pop out mid afternoon yesterday, and today's forecast is much the same, but with a bright end to the day. And after all that hard work, a sundowner in the sun will be richly deserved by all who have worked tirelessly to make this year’s Great Yorkshire Show another resounding success.

Tickets are available on the gates priced at: Adult £26, Concession: £25, Children: £12 Family: £64. Car parking is free and extensive. Please note dogs, other than assistance dogs are not allowed on the showground.