The Virtual Great Yorkshire Show takes visitors behind the scenes of what makes Yorkshire, its farmers, producers and performers - great

Running on the GYS website from Tuesday to Thursday – the three days the show was due to take place – the series of short films will take visitors on to farms, into workshops and behind the scenes with food producers.

The “sad but sensible” decision to cancel the Great Yorkshire Show was taken by organisers, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS), in March as the coronavirus lockdown came into force.

Chief executive of the YAS, Nigel Pulling, said it was an odd time as they – and the showground – would normally be so busy approaching the July show date.

“The hardest thing is it feels like a lifetime since we cancelled it,” he said.

But, he said, the response from people when they decided to try and host a virtual event had been “really heartwarming”.

“People have been willing to volunteer their time and efforts to help,” he said.

“We are not trying to replicate the show, but to represent it and entertain people. That is why we have decided to go behind the scenes rather than trying to recreate the judging and the competitions.

“As many sections of the show as possible have been involved and everyone has been enthusiastic about taking part.”

The full line-up for the virtual show will be revealed on the website but confirmed performances include the Main Arena headliners Atkinson Action Horses, a cook-off between chefs Rosemary Shrager and Stephanie Moon, Q&A with stars of The Yorkshire Vet, Peter Wright and Julian Norton and a behind-the-scenes tour with Olympic showjumper Graham Fletcher.

Sporting soprano Lizzie Jones will also be singing with the Leyburn Band.

“Everyone has chipped in to help,” Mr Pulling said.

“I am looking forward to it, it is new to us and naturally it is tempered with sadness.”

And importantly, he said, it is not about looking backwards but celebrating what we have.

“It is a reminder we are still here and looking forward.”

Show director, Charles Mills, agreed.

“People will miss the show, the build-up and the atmosphere, but people will have their memories and we hope the virtual event will trigger those as they watch.

“It is great to have pulled all this together and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who has contributed to bringing the show to life in this way.

“There is so much happening from start to finish during the three days.

“We wanted to get as many different sections represented as possible.”

Mr Mills said one of the biggest elements people will miss this year, not just at the Great Yorkshire Show but all the agricultural events, will be the social element.

“The show is a great social gathering and we will all be looking forward to seeing each other again next year.”

While it is difficult to know how things will look, Mr Pulling said they will be doing everything to ensure the show will go ahead next year.

“The rules have changed a lot in the last three months and will continue to change over the next 12 but we are absolutely working on the principle we will be holding a show next year.”

Preparations for the following year’s show start almost as soon as the gates close on the final day and Mr Pulling said they would start thinking about plans for 2021 in the next few weeks.

When, he said, they would also be looking at whether they could deliver some of the things planned for this year’s event in 12 months’ time.

“We know there will need to be protocols and guidance in place but we will do all we can so people can come and enjoy it safely.”

He said the biggest driver was the enthusiasm of the exhibitors to make it work.

“People will understand the measures we may have to put in place and will do everything possible to work with us and deliver whatever they may mean.”

Mr Mills said it was important now that we all looked forward and enjoyed what was possible this year, including new ways of doing things.

“Never before has the Great Yorkshire Show been celebrated as a virtual event and we dearly hope people will join us for what promises to be a very special showcase of all that is great about Yorkshire.”

A full schedule for the Great Yorkshire Virtual Show will be published on the website greatyorkshireshow.co.uk

Go to yorkshirepost.co.uk for a video of Nigel Pulling talking about the virtual GYS.