Country Pursuits Area at Great Yorkshire Show
A sheepdog display, falconry, fly fishing and ferrets will all be part of the entertainment in the Country Pursuits Area at the 2004 Great Yorkshire Show. One of the premier events in the British agricultural calendar, this year's event runs from Tuesday 13 - Thursday 15 July at the Showground in Harrogate.
Steward for the Country Pursuits Area, Angela Vaux, said: "The overall aim of the area is to demonstrate country sports and the environment in which they take place to those who may not have rural roots."
She continued: "This year we are concentrating on young sportsmen and women and the different sports in which they take part we have the teenage Master and huntsmen of the Radley College Beagles, a school pack from Oxfordshire; teenager Annabelle Jardine will give flycasting demonstrations and we hope there will be a young girl studying to become a gamekeeper who will talk about her life at present and the future."
Sponsored by "The Yorkshire" one of Harrogate's leading hotels, the area includes a display by Falconry UK which is set to prove a huge attraction. The team aims to present what they believe will be a national first in falconry shows they are hoping to free-fly a goshawk, red kite and white-tailed sea eagle. Joining these birds will be a golden eagle, grey buzzard eagle, black kite, white-headed vulture and two falcons.
Ben Potter of Sion Hill, Thirsk said: "As far as I know these birds have never been free-flown in a show before. The birds are all up to show-standard at the moment so all being well, they will stay that way and we look forward to showing them off at the Great Yorkshire Show in July."
The Mountgrace Gundogs Show Display Team will also be on hand, demonstrating basic training skills in the arena and showing how the dogs work together at picking up.The team's dogs, which have been featured in the popular ITV series Heartbeat, include Springer spaniels and Labradors, with their trainer Les Dixon.
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Those more interested in sheepdogs will enjoy seeing shepherdess Katy Cropper at work. The only woman to have won the BBC's One Man And His Dog competition, Katy will be running sheepdog displays each day, as well as turkeys, ducks and geese to take part in racing and jumping!
Along with Eric the Fell pony and Tomba, her black Labrador, Katy will stage displays which include racing sheep, complete with miniature jockeys on their backs always popular with the audience!
For those who prefer fishing, the Salmon and Trout Association will be running tutorial sessions at the lakes for both adults and juniors, with a free prize draw for each entrant. There is no need to book for those wanting to take part just turn up and, for a nominal sum, enjoy help from qualified instructors. Alternatively, if you prefer watching others do the hard work, sit back and enjoy the casting demonstrations by members of the Association.
Another popular feature will be Simon Whitehead's Pakefield Ferrets, demonstrating the traditional skills of ferreting. In addition there will be coursing greyhounds, working terriers and lurchers, the British Deer Society, and the Countryside Alliance's Campaign for Shooting Game To Eat exhibition with the National Gamekeepers' Organisation.
The Countryside Alliance will have an extensive marquee which brings together all aspects of countryside sports, and people on hand to answer questions on the Alliance and all country sports, along with display boards and a large shop.
The Hound Show is an integral part of the Great Yorkshire Show with beagles shown on Tuesday, foxhounds on Wednesday and terriers on Thursday with demonstration judging on the first two days. The Parade of Hounds in the Main Ring is always a superb sight and this year will focus on the future of hunting. As well as the traditional involvement by several of the region’s hunts, it is hoped that youngsters from hunt pony clubs and also puppy walkers will take part.
Other attractions at the Show will include top-class show jumping, with the prestigious Hornbeam Park Cock O' The North Championship; The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery; a parade of vintage Rolls Royce motor cars; the ever-popular flower show; and the region's finest food with cookery demonstrations.
Tickets on the gate cost £15 for adults with £11 for concessions, and a Family Ticket (2 adults and 3 children) costs £40. There are savings on tickets purchased in advance. The ticket hotline number is 01423 541222, or the general show telephone number is 01423 541000. The web site address is www.greatyorkshireshow.org
Parking is free and extensive, but please note dogs are not allowed on the showground. If you travel by train and buy your rail and show tickets in advance, there are further discounts available. Please call Arriva Trains Northern on 0870 602 3322. A free, and frequent, shuttle bus operates from Harrogate Railway Station to the showground for all three days of the event.
