Great Yorkshire undergoes £500,000 weatherproofing scheme

Some £500,000 has been set aside to ensure that England’s premier agricultural show does not fall victim to bad weather, as was the case in 2012.

Unprecedented wet weather made put much of the car parking out of action in 2012 – forcing organisers to cancel after the first day.

However, tickets for this year’s event went on sale yesterday with the Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s chief executive Nigel Pulling revealing work is already well underway ahead of the event, which is due to run from Tuesday, July 9 to Thursday, July 11.

“We never want to be in a situation like last year again,” said Pulling.

“It was heartbreaking to have to cancel the show so we’ll be doing as much as we can to maintain what is the country’s finest farming showcase.

“Groundworks are already underway to put in extra roadways, drainage systems and hard standing around car park gateways.

“In addition, we are looking at acquiring a number of pieces of land to boost our car-parking capacity.

“We obviously can’t control the weather but we will be doing our level best to make the show as ‘weatherproof’ as we can.”

Schedules for the competition classes are currently being prepared and applications for sought-after exhibition space are being processed.

Pulling added: “The response from our trade stand holders has been terrific.

“We’ve already got a waiting list of people who we’re trying to accommodate, around 92 per cent of exhibitors have re-booked, which is a marvellous vote of confidence in the show.”

This year’s event will be the 155th Great Yorkshire Show with the first one held in Fulford in 1838.

Tickets are available either on line at www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk, by telephone on 01423 541222 or in person from the Show’s office at the Great Yorkshire Showground.