Birthday celebrations are on the programme for this year’s Countryside Live, as the little sister of the Great Yorkshire Show celebrates its tenth birthday.
Held on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 October, the event is a fun day out as well as a showcase for the farming industry and rural life, with everything from pigs to poultry and fabulous food to show jumping.
To mark the special year, organisers, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society is inviting anyone who also has his or her 10thbirthday in October to get in touch and say why they want to attend. One person will then be named the “Birthday Star of Countryside Live” and will be able to bring ten friends as the Society’s guests to join in the fun at the Great Yorkshire Showground
Bill Cowling, Show Director said:
The aim ten years ago was to have a fun autumn event aimed at families to really enthuse people about farming and the countryside, and we’ve certainly done that with attendance numbers growing each year.” Last year saw a record-breaking 10,700 people come through the gates.
For the first time there will be the chance to have a go at mountain biking, the hilarious “One Man and His Pig” competition is featured, plus there’s ferret racing and an equine special with The Northern Show Cross Series Final – a mix of show jumping then a round of cross country jumps – makes its debut and is sponsored by Bishop Burton College.
Elsewhere farming’s best will be competing for the coveted top awards with classes for cattle, sheep, horses and ponies as well as pigeons and poultry. The quest to find Britain’s most talented new show jumper will also take place with equestrian experts Graham and Tina Fletcher in the judges’ seat.
Sheep dog displays by Carol and Philip Mellin, stars of TV’s popular “The Dales” programme, will again feature, plus the fashion show with a difference – Richard Savory’s Sheep Show – is included on the packed programme of events.
With dog agility competitions, Birds of Prey demonstrations, a horticultural section, have-a-go archery, a climbing wall, Diggerland and the tug of war competitions, plus a pavilion devoted entirely to children’s activities, there’s plenty to do!
Doors open at 9am with tickets are available on the gate or in advance. Parking is free and extensive but please note dogs, other than assistance dogs, are not allowed. For more information see: www.countrysidelive.co.uk
