New President makes society history

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.  Mrs Sarah York of Long Marston near York took over the staff of office in a ceremony at the close of last week’s Great Yorkshire Show (Thurs 16 July). It is 25 years since her husband, Edward, was President, from July 1989 – 1990.

During her year of office Mrs York will represent the Society at events both at the 250-acre showground and around the region, preside at meetings as well as providing guidance and support to the Board of Trustees. She is very much looking forward to her 12-month role, having been involved with the Society for more than 40 years. The Society is best known as the organiser of the Great Yorkshire Show and its sister event, Countryside Live.

A keen horsewoman, Mrs York competed at the event as a child. She has been a member of the equine committee since the 1970s and a steward for many years. Mrs York, who breeds thoroughbred horses, is President of Sport Horse Breeding of Great Britain and a former steward of the British Horseracing Authority. 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will be particularly significant as work begins on creating a £10m exhibition hall on the site, replacing the former outdated building.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.

Year round the Yorkshire Agricultural Society has an active programme of support for rural life and organisations across the North of England, and also runs Fodder, the award winning shop and café based at the showground.