Future of North Yorkshire County Show secured after revival

Staged at Otterington Hall, in South Otterington on Sunday (June 15), crowds gathered in what was a welcome return for the popular event after an absence in 2024, due to a lack of volunteers.

The show has roots back to 1840 when it was known as Northallerton and District Agricultural County Show, but for many years it was simply known as Northallerton Show until 1974, when local county boundaries were re-drawn and it became known as the North Yorkshire County Show.

Tractors at the North Yorkshire County Show on Sunday (June 15) (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) Until last year, it was only Foot and Mouth and Covid which prevented it from taking place in recent decades, but now organisers have outlined their hopes for the future of the event after welcoming around 8000 visitors in what they have described as a "brilliant return" for the Show.

Alongside the success for the visitors, there was a significant boost in the show ring too, with over 500 entries for horse categories in the event on Sunday.

Visitors enjoyed craft and baking competitions, a children’s fun fair, vintage tractors, classic cars, and an assortment of local food, craft stalls, and trade stands.

There were numerous agricultural and horticulture classes at the show on Sunday (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) In the main arena, the crowd was drawn to dynamic demonstrations such as gun dogs in action and impressive carriage driving displays.

Traditional elements like sheep and cattle classes, along with agricultural working horses and light horses, maintained their prominent place in the show’s lineup.

Adding a unique twist to the event were special features like alpacas, a captivating farrier demonstration, and the crowd-favourite Sheep Show — complete with its popular troupe of dancing sheep.

A horse and rider in the main ring at the show (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) Mark Hall, chairman of the Show committee, says he is "overwhelmed" with the support given by volunteers, local people, and businesses to the 2025 edition of the event. 

He said: "One of the biggest county shows had been lost after a lack of volunteers, and there was real concern that it would never continue.

"The publicity has worked perfectly and we got people in their thousands coming to the show - it was great to see.

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"Without a question, the County Show is firmly back on the calendar and here to stay, and that is thanks to the support we have had."

Mr Hall, says that volunteers and the Show committee have "given everything" to the show, including the two weeks of setting up and two days of dismantling the event, and has noted the importance of traditions and events continuing in the Northallerton area.

"I've had connections to Northallerton most of my life - and we're lucky we have the May Fair, Carnival, and the Show," he added.

"We need to keep up these traditions and cannot lose them."