Fun and Farming at Top Rural Event

A mix of traditional favourites and new features are the hallmarks of the 11th Countryside Live which will take place at Harrogate on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October.

The little sister of the annual Great Yorkshire Show, Countryside Live combines competitive classes for livestock with entertaining displays and demonstrations aimed at all the family. Last year attracted a record breaking 12,061 visitors through the gates.

Bill Cowling, Honorary Show Director said: “It’s very much a fun event for the family, always buzzing with a whole host of things to do and many of them are ‘hands on’. There’s everything from archery to ferret racing to breadmaking! The cattle and sheep classes are very much at the heart of the event - it’s a great opportunity to see some of the best of the best. And for the first time we have equine driving trials – an arena version of what many will recognize as one of Prince Philip’s favourite hobbies which I’m sure will be hugely popular.”

Also new to the event are demonstrations of chain saw carving, the story of wool will be brought to life within the Sheep Marquee and using music to train your dog is just one element of the display by the Tailwagger team.

Other highlights include:

• Classes for poultry, pigeons, horse shoeing, fruit, vegetables and honey
• Have a go mountain biking
• Search for a Talented Show Jumper competition with Olympic stars, Graham and Tina Fletcher
• Olympia qualifying classes for ridden Mountain and Moorland ponies
• Ridden heavy horse classes
• The Sheep Show – a fun fashion show for sheep highlighting the different breeds
• One Man and His Pig – hilarious pig racing contest
• Sheep dog displays with Carole & Philip Mellin of TV’s The Dales programme
• Tug of War competitions
• Diggerland – opportunity for adults and children to drive mini diggers and earth moving equipment

And plenty of stands with gifts, clothing, regional food and crafts.

The closing dates for the competitive classes are:

Cattle, Sheep and Equine: Friday 6 September

Pigeons, Poultry and Honey: Friday 13 September

Further Information

Countryside Live takes place at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate and is organized by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society. Gates open at 9am each day, and car parking is free. See www.countrysidelive.co.uk for more information.

TICKET PRICES

Tickets are available at the event and in advance (booking deadline: Friday 11 October)

PRICES

Please note: Dogs other than assistance dogs are not allowed so please leave your pets at home.

ENDS

20 August 2013

Judy Thompson, PR Manager, Yorkshire Agricultural Society – 01423 546215 or judyt@yas.co.uk

If you wish to apply for press passes to Countryside Live, please complete the online application form on our website, by 11thOctober 2013 – http://countrysidelive.co.uk/media/press-passes

YORKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY: 

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society was formed in 1837 and is a charity dedicated to supporting the farming industry and rural life. This ranges from educational initiatives to the Society’s Nuffield Scholarships to hosting the Yorkshire Rural Support Network. The Society is based at the Regional Agricultural Centre, Harrogate; the RAC includes Fodder, the Society’s award winning regional food shop and café which opened in June 2009.

The Society is the organiser of the annual farming and country showcase, the Great Yorkshire Show and its sister event, Countryside Live. Both take place at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, North Yorkshire and are flagship events for agriculture and rural life. Dates for the next Countryside Live are Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October and the 2014 Great Yorkshire Show runs from Tuesday 8 – Thursday 10 July. See also www.yas.co.uk and www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk

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