HIGH-profile visitors and a host of awards marking excellence shaped the second day of a packed schedule at the Great Yorkshire Show.
The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell and Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Jo Ropner toured the show, in what was the Archbishop’s first ever visit.
Steve Reed OBE MP, the new Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner made their first visit as part of the new Government after last week’s election.
Charles Mills, show director, said: “It was a pleasure to host the Archbishop who made his first visit today – hopefully the first of many!
“We were also delighted to host the new Secretary of State, Steve Reed OBE MP and Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner who could connect with farmers and farming bodies like the NFU, CLA, RABI and our Future Farmers to start the conversation about the future of farming.
“Today has also underlined how the many issues being tackled in the rural sector are being handled in some very creative ways, from conservation and sustainability to food production and education.”
Adam Henson took to the cattle rings before heading for the chat show on the Vertu Motors GYS Stage and seeing the sheepdog trials, while Strictly Come Dancing star Kelvin Fletcher and wife Liz also made an appearance as well as farming influencer Joe Seels.
A YAS Award was presented to Michael Warren, a steward at Great Yorkshire Show for 66 years.
White Laith Primary School of Whinmoor, Leeds, won the School Veg Box competition, which challenges primary schools across Yorkshire to grow British produce from scratch.
Top pigeon at the show, the Supreme Pigeon, went to Richard Henderson from Malton with a three-year-old black Nun cock bird.
Richard has been showing at the Great Yorkshire Show since 1980 but this is the first time he has won Supreme Champion.
He said: “It has taken 44 years to do that. I’m absolutely over the moon.”
The Cheese and Dairy section highlighted the importance of quality food when it showcased the best of British produce. The Supreme Champion Cheese title went to Shepherds Purse for its Organic Yorkshire Blue.
The Supreme Champion Dairy title went to Ryeburn of Helmsley for its Mango Ripple ice cream.
Some of the best farms across the North competed for the Tye Trophy, which recognises farmers’ contribution to conservation and environmental improvement. Simon and Claire Bainbridge of Bainbridge Farms of Morpeth were chosen as the overall winner.
Forestry was covered with the presentation of the John Boddy trophy, which went to the 4,000-acre Harewood Estate between Leeds and Harrogate, managed by Ben Lascelles.
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