Yorkshire offers some amazing countryside shows celebrating food, farming and countryside.
Countryside Live is one of the countryside shows held at the Yorkshire Event Centre. This year visitors can meet Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen and TV favourite, Peter Wright of Channel 5’s The Yorkshire Vet. Both expected to be very popular attractions.
Countryside shows provide the perfect day out for families. Visitors to Countryside Live will experience a cookery theatre, live performances, shopping and of course, plenty of animals. Another main attraction is the Create + Explore area which is packed with hands-on activities for children.
Now in its 16th year, Countryside Live attracts around 12,000 visitors across two days. 200 animals are entered in competitions and classes across the weekend. From horses to honey, pigs to poultry, sheep to rabbits, there are competitions and classes for all! There are plenty of family activities, which are mainly free once you inside the event. Birds of prey displays, shopping stands, horticultural classes and farriery competitions will certainly provide something for the whole family.
Amanda Owen the Yorkshire Shepherdess
Fans can meet Amanda on Saturday 20 when she will be signing her books and calendar as well as speaking on stage. Amanda runs a 2,000 acre farm with 1,000 sheep in North Yorkshire. Amanda is also a regular on TV with numerous appearances.
Amanda said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been invited to Countryside Live. It promises to be a truly fascinating event, both educational and enjoyable. People can gather together to celebrate our infinitely varied and diverse English countryside. It is a great honour to have the opportunity to provide an insight into life as a hill shepherdess. Also, what it is like to be responsible for ‘working the view’ rural living. Also how farming has shaped the iconic Yorkshire Dales landscape.”
Show Director Charles Mills said: “Amanda is a wonderful ambassador for farming. We look forward to hearing about her life and welcoming her to Countryside Live. A very special event which showcases the very best of food, farming and the countryside.”
Peter Wright from The Yorkshire Vet
Peter will appear on the Sunday when he will be signing copies of his debut book. The Yorkshire Vet: In The Footsteps of Herriot will be hot off the presses. Peter’s books will be on sale at the event where Peter will also be doing live Q&As on stage.
Peter will present awards to the winners of the Supreme Beef Championship and Supreme Pairs of Lambs.
Peter said: “I’m delighted to be part of this year’s Countryside Live. It promises to be a fun and informative event. Showing a great celebration of farming and country life. I’m excited to meet the wonderful fans who have supported The Yorkshire Vet and made it what it is today. I will be signing copies of my book which tells my story from my days as a trainee for Alf Wight, the real James Herriot. ”
Show Director Charles Mills said: “We are thrilled to have Peter on board and we know he will go down a storm with the public. Visitors will have the chance to meet him on the Sunday and hear his story live on stage.”
Not forgetting, new for this year will be a pop up pub called the Tipsy Heifer. Overlooking the Main Ring, visitors will be delighted with live entertainment from Stray FM presenters Will Smith and Nick Hancock. Entertainment at the pub including quizzes three times a day with over £500 worth of prizes to win. Prizes will include Fodder Afternoon Tea vouchers and Great Yorkshire Show family tickets. There will also be a live broadcast of the show between 12noon and 2pm, definitely not to be missed!
Tickets are on sale now and parking is free. Members of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society are entitled to free entry, on production of their membership card. See our What’s On section for details of countryside shows and other family friendly events coming up.
