Retired Yorkshire Post man's special honour

FORMER Yorkshire Post reporter Brian Dooks was among those honoured for their special contribution to the Great Yorkshire Show yesterday.

Mr Dooks was one of nine people who received commemorative engraved glasses from the Yorkshire Agricultural Society's president elect, Sir Ken Morrison.

Show chief executive Nigel Pulling praised all the recipients, saying they shared a common thread of "dedicated service" to the Great Yorkshire Show.

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Mr Dooks, from Boroughbridge, covered the event for 36 years, primarily for the Yorkshire Post.

Speaking after the presentation, he said: "I first came here in 1967 when the showground was busy for one week and barely used the rest of the year.

"The show has become a lot more commercial since then and it showcases not just Yorkshire agriculture, but the best the whole region produces."

Mr Dooks has many fond memories of covering the show. "I was here a few years back when the Queen visited. There was torrential rain overnight and at two in the morning the fire services were pumping water off the lower part of the showground.

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"We were all in suits and wellies trying not to get muddy, while the Queen wore black court shoes and simply ignored the weather."

The other special award recipients were:

Bert Verity, of Harrogate, in recognition of 59 years of support for the show.

Anne Furness, of Thirsk, who retired from the horse committee after 50 years of service.

Joe Paisley, of Ilkley, who retired from the beagle section after 47 years.

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Tom Swales, retired after stewarding the pig section for 35 years.

Sam Cryer, of Harrogate, who has been involved in the show for 34 years.

The Rev Toddy Hoare, formerly of Thirsk, who retired in 2008 after 27 years as honorary chaplain, president's box and ring steward.

John Earle, of Richmond, who retired from the sheep committee after 26 years.

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Joe Maiden, of Leeds, who retired from the Flower Show committee after 14 years.

In a separate ceremony, former Bishop Burton College principal Howard Petch received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.