FOR the first time in the history of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society the wife of a former president is following in her husband’s footsteps.

Sarah York of Long Marston near York has taken over the staff of office 25 years after her husband, Edward, was president

During her year of office Mrs York will represent the Society at events both at the 250-acre showground in Harrogate and around the region, preside at meetings as well as providing guidance and support to the Board of Trustees.

The society is best known as the organiser of the Great Yorkshire Show and its sister event, Countryside Live and Mrs York has been involved with it for more than 40 years.

A keen horsewoman, Mrs York competed at the show as a child. She has been a member of the equine committee since the 1970s and a steward for many years.

She is President of Sport Horse Breeding of Great Britain and a former steward of the British Horseracing Authority.

And her year of office will be particularly significant as work begins on creating a £10m exhibition hall on the site, replacing the former outdated building.

“I am very much looking forward to my new role, it is a great honour to be asked and of course I accompanied my husband on many of his engagements during his year of office, and now he will be accompanying me,” she said.