New agricultural president makes history

Yorkshire Agricultural Society president Lord Crathorne hands over to the new president Sarah York at the end of the 2015 Great Yorkshire Show. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

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.

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 said she was looking forward to her 12-month role, having been involved with the Society for more than 40 years.

“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,” Mrs York said.

A breeder of thoroughbred horses, she competed at the Great Yorkshire Show as a child, has been a member of the show’s equine committee since the 1970s and a steward for many years.

She is also 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as work begins on creating a £10 million exhibition hall on the Society’s Harrogate showground, replacing the former outdated building.