New Man at the Helm of the Great Yorkshire Show

Bill Cowling, who has been associated with the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and the Great Yorkshire Show for many years, is to be the new Honorary Show Director. Known to many as the Chief Cattle Steward, he succeeds Christopher Hall whose term of office comes to an end following the 2005 show, after seven years. The Great Yorkshire Show is the region's largest annual farm and country event attracting over 120,000 visitors over the three days each July.

A North Yorkshire farmer, Bill has had a strong involvement with rural life through several organisations over several decades. "Having been involved in the work of the Society for many years, I am delighted and honoured to be appointed as Honorary Show Director. The reputation of the Great Yorkshire is second to none, and I am following in the footsteps of Directors who have steered it astutely and with vision."

Announcing the appointment, John Stoddart-Scott, Chairman of the Executive Committee said: "We are extremely pleased that Bill is to take on this pivotal role. He brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding not only of the Society and the Show, but also of farming and rural issues which are the cornerstone of the Society. He combines experience with expertise and integrity with a style which is approachable but also discerning. It is a demanding job but one that I know he will tackle with commitment, imagination and sound judgement."

Bill, who farms on family farm at Pannal near Harrogate, began his association with the Society in the 1960s when he successfully showed dairy cattle at the Great Yorkshire. At that time he was also Chairman of his local show at Weeton, a post he held for two decades. In 1978 he was asked by the then Chief Cattle Steward, Frank Abbey, to assist in the section at the Great Yorkshire working with Frank Chapman and David Thompson, taking on the role of Chief Steward in 1995.

Over the years his involvement has encompassed many aspects of the Society's work. He was elected to its Council in 1989, and a year later became a member of the Executive Committee. Over the last decade, as a member of the Showground Committee, he has played a key role in progressing the site's £10m building programme. His interest in supporting agriculture in the region, and promoting the farming message through schools found a natural and effective outlet in the Grants and Education Committee, which he chairs.

His background is soundly Yorkshire. Born and brought up in Leeds, he gained his first experience of agriculture when his father bought a small holding at Scarcroft, then moving on to farm at Wike before establishing the family farm based at Rudding House. With his wife Caroline, two sons Guy and Tom and daughter-in-law, Karen he farms 580 acres at Rudding House and the adjoining Hornbank Farm. Daughter Ann works in the fashion industry in London.

The farm currently consists of 150 acres of combinable crops, which are all used on the farm, they milk 80 Holstein Friesians (Bill is a member and former Chairman of the Yorkshire Holstein Breeders Club), keep commercial beef cattle finishing about 200 a year, and run a flock of continental cross ewes. The Great Yorkshire Show Lamb Carcase Championship won this year by Karen was a cause for celebration, having taken the reserve ticket in 2003!

His interest in livestock is deep rooted and has stood him in good stead. In the early 60s when the Northern Poultry Society wanted to introduce livestock classes to their annual show, he became Secretary of the Livestock Section of what was to become the Northern Counties Livestock Society. The involvement came full circle when the Yorkshire Agricultural Society joined forces with the NCLS to stage the successful Countryside Live event which held its second show in October at the showground. Bill continues to chair its livestock committee.

Aside from the Society, he is an active member of the National Trust's Regional Committee for Yorkshire and the North East, and is also a member of North Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife Group. A keen interest in modern British paintings is combined with a love of antiques, classic cars and, when time allows for holidays, caravanning - frequently to visit other shows on the farming circuit!