The Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s iconic crest has been re-created in a stained glass window.
The window, which is a gift from a former Society President, Sir Ken Morrison, has been unveiled at the Great Yorkshire Showground, where it has pride of place in the President’s Pavilion which overlooks the main arena.
Sir Ken Morrison, a former President of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society with his gift to the Society of a stained glass window, with Nigel Pulling, Chief Executive, Yorkshire Agricultural Society
The Society is best known as the organiser of the annual Great Yorkshire Show and its sister event, Countryside Live.
During the Great Yorkshire Show, which runs from Tuesday 10 – Thursday 12 July, the President’s Pavilion is the focus for all VIP guests, and in the past has welcomed everyone from HM The Queen to Gervase Phinn and John Craven. Next week (5 June) the Pavilion will be the pre-show base for international superstar Elton John, prior to his concert in the Main Ring.
Sir Ken, who was President July 2011/2012, commissioned the panel from York artist Julia Spall to mark his year in office and it was handed over to the Society’s Chief Executive, Nigel Pulling.
Mr Pulling said:
The Society’s crest with the white rose of Yorkshire has been pretty much the same since it was first designed in1837 and is very recognisable. It embodies our tradition and heritage so it’s entirely appropriate that it’s depicted in a modern interpretation at what is a central point of the Show.
With a background in fine art, Ms Spall worked for York Glaziers Trust for six years, including working on restoration painting in York Minster and some of the Oxford colleges. She now runs her own business, Julia Spall Stained Glass.
