The Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Lord Crathorne, is following in his father’s footsteps of almost 50 years ago as he takes up the role of President of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society for 2014/15.
The appointment comes as Lord Crathorne is also given The Freedom of The Town of Richmond, and in September, on his 75th birthday, he steps down as Lord-Lieutenant after serving for 15 years.
As President, Lord Crathorne will represent the Society at events around the region, and chairs the various internal planning meetings for its high profile event, the Great Yorkshire Show. The climax will come next July when he tours the event, meeting special guests, visitors and exhibitors.
Lord Crathorne has been a familiar face for many years at the three day farming and countryside showcase, latterly accompanying the many royal visitors during their tours in his capacity as Lord-Lieutenant. At July’s Great Yorkshire Show, HRH The Princess Royal and HRH The Countess of Wessex were the Society’s guests.
Lord Crathorne said: I am very excited and enormously honoured to be President. It’s particularly significant to me as it was a role my father undertook in 1967. I have always had a great affection for the Great Yorkshire Show and indeed an interest in the Society’s work year-round in raising the profile of farming and rural communities and celebrating farming excellence.
The Great Yorkshire has changed since 1967. Today there are around 2,000 sheep entered, 50 years ago there were just over 400, similarly with cattle figures and attendance figures were less than 100,000 whereas today they number around 130,000+ However, core similarities remain.
Lord Crathorne said:Many families who were involved 50 years ago, are still taking part today, either as visitors, sponsors or as exhibitors. And of course the ethos remains the same, to show the best of British farming.
Lord Crathorne’s home is at Crathorne. He was appointed Lord-Lieutenant in 1999 and two years ago HM The Queen also awarded him the KCVO (Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order).
