Lizzie Jones making history, celebrities on the Kuoni Catwalk and a fabulous wedding made for a hugely successful first day of the 160th Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate.
Sporting Soprano Lizzie performed twice to crowds in the Main Ring before taking to the Kuoni Catwalk with a host of celebrities for a fashion show special.
Lizzie, from Halifax, was dressed by Wetherby based designer, James Steward while Countryfile presenter and Strictly Come Dancing contestant, Anita Rani was dressed by John Lewis.
Joining them were Yorkshire ITV stars Jon Mitchell and John Shires. Weatherman Jon was dressed by Barbour while presenter John, was modelling Brook Taverner.
Also on the catwalk was Olympic show jumper and stalwart show supporter, Graham Fletcher who was styled by Barbour.
Love was in the air for one farming couple when they get married in the Pavilions of Harrogate in the morning.
Liz Bailey and Chris Moorhouse from Emley, near Huddersfield, said their vows before a wedding party of 24 before spending the day celebrating at the show.
The couple have been visitors to the show since they first met 25 years ago and their daughters Isabelle, aged six and Georgina, 11 months, were bridesmaids on their special day.
There have been a host of Society awards given out today, including to The Great Yorkshire Show’s Chief Cattle Steward Margaret Chapman who was presented with one of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s highest awards.
The Society and Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) make an award each year to the individual who has made the most outstanding contribution to the Yorkshire rural community.
In 2008, for the 150th show, Margaret introduced the Blythewood Pairs competition into the Dairy Cattle section, something of which she is extremely proud, and at the same show she was also instrumental in giving the Jersey cattle the lead in the Grand Cattle Parade.
The success of this section is exemplified by having three national shows this year for Simmental, Beef Shorthorn and Charolais.
There was tough competition for the Supreme Beef title, with the Champion named as Boden and Davies Ltd of Stockport’s British Charolais cow Sportsmans Maisie. Reserve went to R and J Graham of Stirling’s British Limousin heifer, Grahams Melody.
The prestigious Doncaster Cup for the best in the Garden Show went to a display of carnivorous plants from Wacks Wicked Plants of Scampston near Walton. Exhibitor Peter Walker, who is from Harrogate originally, said: “I am absolutely thrilled and being from Harrogate makes it all the more special.” The Cup is a second triumph for Wacks Wicked Plants which won a Gold medal at its first Chelsea Flower Show this year.
The Garden Show attracted 30 exhibits, the highest number in the last ten years, with judges saying that the standard was the highest it had ever been.
Show Director Charles Mills said:
This has been a fantastic first day to our 160th Great Yorkshire Show, we can’t wait to do it all again tomorrow.
Luxury travel company, Kuoni is sponsoring this year’s Fashion Show with the Kuoni Catwalk Show taking place four times a day at 11am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm and 4pm.
