NEW CHIEF SHEEP STEWARD APPOINTED FOR GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOW
The Hon Mrs Susan Cunliffe-Lister, the Lord-Lieutenant of East Yorkshire is to be the new Chief Sheep Steward at the Great Yorkshire Show, organisers have announced.
(NB: Image available to download at the bottom of the release)
Her appointment comes following the decision to step down by Henry Watson following illness. Mr Watson, whose home is in Driffield, has been involved with the Show organisers, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society for 57 years, and has been chief steward since 1995.
Mrs Cunliffe-Lister is no stranger to the Society or the Great Yorkshire Show, having been its President two years ago. She has also been a member for many years, and is well known for launching the highly successful Masham Sheep Fair in 1986, where she is still involved.
Bill Cowling, Honorary Show Director said: “We are hugely grateful to Henry for his extremely valuable contribution over the years. During his tenure the sheep section has grown substantially, by 49%, from 1,538 entries in 1995, which is a major achievement. We obviously know Susan well and are looking forward to working with her. She will bring “fresh eyes” to the section and I am sure we will benefit from her wise advice and knowledge.”
The sheep section at the Great Yorkshire is one of the largest at the event, consistently attracting over 2,000 entries. More than 30 breeds are represented and this year’s Great Yorkshire attracted a record 2,292 entries.
Commenting on the appointment Mrs Cunliffe-Lister said: “I am delighted to continue my involvement with the Great Yorkshire Show and hope that my experience with running the Masham Sheep Fair for over 25 years will be useful.”
A keen gardener, she took over the running of Burton Agnes Hall and Estate in 1990 and redeveloped the walled garden is a past winner of Christies/HHA Garden of the Year Award. In 2000, the family house at Swinton was bought back and converted into a four-star hotel, which is now run by her son Mark and his wife, Felicity.
The 2015 Great Yorkshire Show runs from Tuesday 14 – Thursday 16 July and is England’s premier agricultural show. Its ‘little sister,’ Countryside Live, takes place on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October, 2014.
ENDS
28 August 2014
Media contact: Judy Thompson, PR Manager, Yorkshire Agricultural Society on 01423 546215 or email judyt@yas.co.uk
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 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 2015 Great Yorkshire Show are Tuesday 14 – Thursday 16 July, and Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October, 2014 for Countryside Live.
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