TASTY OPENER FOR COUNTRYSIDE LIVE
A giant chocolate cockerel took centre stage at the Great Yorkshire Showground yesterday (Monday) in readiness for next weekend’s Countryside Live.
The tasty treat weighs in at an amazing 9 kilos and will be the centrepiece of a birthday party to celebrate the event’s tenth anniversary. Countryside Live is the little sister of the Great Yorkshire Show and takes place on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 October.
And, at the start of what is National Chocolate Week, Amy Wilkinson, winner of the Countryside Live competition, was given an early introduction to the bird at the showground yesterday. She also met its creator, Andrew Thwaite, Head Chocolatier of York’s Chocolate Story, which has kindly given the cockerel. Amy, who lives in Knaresborough, is ten years old this month.
Nigel Pulling, Chief Executive explained: “We invited anyone who was ten in October to write in saying why they should share their birthday celebrations with us. Amy was enthusiastic, articulate and really came up with super reasons for having her party at Countryside Live. And York’s Chocolate Story has been incredibly generous. Their Head Chocolatier Andrew made the cockerel specially and of course, it couldn’t be more appropriate as we do have real poultry at Countryside Live.”
In her entry, Amy said she’d enjoyed the event so much last year, that she wanted to bring her friends to enjoy the fun. She outlined what had particularly impressed her and what would be on her “wish list” to do this year. Amy and her friends will enjoy a party tea, goodie bag with free tickets to Eureka, and Marko of Marko’s Circus Skills will provide the entertainment.
Gates open each day at 9am with the programme including everything from the traditional classes for cattle, sheep and horses, a Country Crafts Pavilion especially for youngsters, dog agility demonstrations and for the first time, ferret racing and mountain biking. Olympians Graham and Tina Fletcher will again be running the popular Search for a Talented Show Jumper competition, and the Northern Show Cross Final, which combines show jumping and cross country, makes its debut. The Final is sponsored by Bishop Burton College.
- The cattle classes and supreme beef championship are sponsored by Ripon Select Foods.
- The sheep marquee is sponsored by the Coniston Hotel, their first involvement as sponsors in Countryside Live
- The dog agility classes are sponsored by Bartlett & Co.
Ticket Prices
Tickets available on the gate and in advance until 12 October 2012.
Adults: £10 on the gate and £8 in advance.
Children (5-18 years): £5 on the gate and £4 in advance.
Family Ticket (2 adults and up to 3 adults): £28 on the gate and £22 in advance.
Travel Information
Parking is free and extensive. There will be a free shuttle bus service on Railway Road at the Showground from Sainsburys to the Blue Entrance and return, 8am - 6pm on both days, with two double decker buses operating a continuous service.
Please note dogs, other than assistance dogs are not allowed on the showground.
For more information visit the website at www.countrysidelive.co.uk
ENDS
9 October 2012
Judy Thompson, PR Manager on 01423 546215 or email judyt@yas.co.uk
Apply online for press passes - http://www.countrysidelive.co.uk/en/media-centre/press-passes/. Please note that the deadline for applications is Friday, 12th October 2012.
YORKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY:
The Yorkshire Agricultural Society was formed in 1837 and is a charity dedicated to supporting the farming industry and rural life. The value of the support it provides to regional farming and countryside initiatives has risen year on year to almost £1m. It is based at the Regional Agricultural Centre, Harrogate; the RAC includes Fodder, the Society’s regional food shop and café which opened in June 2009. Both the RAC and Fodder has won a number of awards, including in 2010, being named as the Observer Monthly Best Independent Local Retailer, and most recently it has been chosen as a finalist in the Taste of England category of the 2012 Visit England Awards for Excellence.
The Society is the organiser of England’s premier agricultural show, the Great Yorkshire Show and its sister event, Countryside Live. Dates for Countryside Live 2012 are Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 October. The 2013 Great Yorkshire Show dates are Tuesday 9 – Thursday 11 July which will be the 155thshow.
York’s CHOCOLATE Story
The chocolate cockerel was kindly provided by York's CHOCOLATE Story, York's newest visitor attraction which opened earlier this year - the only place you can indulge your love of chocolate and unwrap the whole of York's chocolate story - a treat of an attraction for all the family. Open daily 10am-5pm. Visit www.yorkschocolatestory.com
Tags:
