A STALWART of the rural scene, Freda Cockerill, has been elected as president of the Ryedale Show, joining only a handful of women to hold the honour.

The show, which marks its 150th anniversary next year, has won national awards and is rated as one of the top five agricultural one-day events in the country.

Mrs Cockerill has been involved in farming all her life and farms about 400 acres at KLockton, near Pickering, with her husband, David and son Graham and his wife, Helen.

“I have done all aspects of work on the farm over the years from milking cows to shepherding sheep,” she said.

She was in charge of the sheep section of Ryedale Show alongside Chris Leckenby for many years, but now Rob Myers has taken the role over with his wife, Julie.

However, Mrs Cockerill is still responsible for the issuing of licences on show day for sheep, goats and pigs.

As well as Ryedale Show, Mrs Cockerill is also involved with others at Thornton-le-Dale and Egton where she is responsible for bio-security of livestock, and at Saltersgate Hunt Farmers Show, of which she is chairman.

“I am delighted and honoured to have been asked to be this year’s president because Ryedale is such a wonderful show,” she said.

“The numbers and quality of the livestock is second to none. The horse classes are very well-supported attracting competitors from long distances.

“It’s a great honour being Ryedale Show president because it is so successful, with some of the finest livestock in the country, both in terms of numbers and quality.”

This year’s show, at Welburn Park, will be on July 28.