COUNTRYSIDE Live witnessed one of its largest crowds in recent years during the 13th staging of the festival last weekend.

Organisers the Yorkshire Agricultural Society announced that 12,101 visitors came through the gates at Harrogate over the weekend for the little sister event of the Great Yorkshire Show.

It was a particularly special two days for the new show director, Charles Mills who took over the role in July.

He said: “It’s been an exciting show with a wonderful atmosphere. The quality of livestock gets better each year and the new venue for the cattle has worked well and is something we’d like to build on for the future.

"Bjorn the Polar Bear was a real hit with families, as were all the hands on activities around the show.

“Our aim is to inspire people about agriculture and the rural economy, whether it’s through seeing the first class animals, the excellent trade stands, or the demonstrations and attractions, and I certainly think we have achieved that.

"Now work begins for next year’s Countryside Live, but of course before that we have the Great Yorkshire Show in July.”

Looking to the future, chief executive Nigel Pulling said: “We have had a great weekend and with our new hall coming on stream next year we are in a good position to continue the development of Countryside Live.”

Selected results

Beef section

Supreme Championship: A British Blue x heifer, ‘Minion’, bred and shown by Mrs Sally Lloyd of Leominster

Reserve: A British Blue x heifer, ‘Millie’ owned and bred by Luke & Beth Wilkinson of Leyburn, North Yorkshire

Champion Beef Young Handler: Elliw Roberts of Anglesey with Luke Wilkinson of Leyburn as Reserve

Sheep section

Champion Pair of Butcher’s Lambs and the Champion Single Butcher’s Lamb: David and Linda Wadland, of Daventry with Beltex X ewe lambs.

Reserve: Hannah Brown of Leyburn with her Beltex X lambs

Champion Sheep Young Handler: Max Clough, aged 13 of Pickering.

Champion Sheep Young Handler (8 yrs and under): Jack Whiteford, aged 6, of Brampton, Cumbria

Equine:

Mountain & Moorland Championship: Beth Simons of Derbyshire with a Welsh Section D stallion, Ballynacoy Prince

Coloured Horse & Pony Championship: Kimberley Hinds of Durham with Volatis Diva, her 5 year old mare

Northern Show Cross Finals

Champion Senior Team: ‘Horses4Sale’ of Darlington

Reserve: ‘The Golden Girls and The Toy Boy’ of Penistone

Search for a Talented Showjumper: Tabby Bentley, aged 20, of Ripley, Harrogate with Welsh Section D pony, Jordie

Pigeons:

Best Fancy Pigeon Championship: John Elsdon of Spalding, Lincolnshire with a 6 month old Dragoon

Best Young Pigeon Fancier: Taylor Cassidy aged 15 of Mirfield, West Yorkshire

Poultry Championship: Stephen and Graham Hodge of Preston with their 6 month old black Rosecomb pullet.

Honey:

Blue Ribbon Award: Chris Smailes of Fadmoor, Pickering

For all the results, visit countrysidelive.co.uk/entries-results/schedules-entry-forms-and-results