Tweed's the Ticket

In a “style first”, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society has today unveiled its new limited edition tweed jacket, coinciding with tickets going on sale for July’s rural extravaganza, the Great Yorkshire Show.

The jacket, along with a matching scarf, incorporates the Society’s colours of green and gold and the exclusive design is aptly called the Great Yorkshire Tweed. The limited edition jackets – only 300 have been commissioned – will be on show and available to buy at England’s premier agricultural event which runs from Tuesday 12 – Thursday 14 July.  The show is organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

Although the jackets can be ordered, they will not be available until June but Show Director Charles Mills provided a sneak preview, wearing the first of the 300. They are expected to be a huge hit, particularly given the quirky details which include “Yorkshire Born and Bred” woven under the collar, the county’s iconic white rose featuring in the jacket label and also on a lapel pin.

Stepping out in style Charles said: “What could be finer than having our own tweed, though of course you don’t have to be born and bred in Yorkshire to wear it!  And it will feature on the catwalk at the Great Yorkshire Show though I definitely won’t be doing the modelling!” Although Charles has been involved in the event for many years, it will be his first as Show Director.

The idea came from discussions with Keighley-based tailors Brook Taverner. Their elegant and high quality men’s clothing has been an integral part of the popular Great Yorkshire fashion shows for many years, and the company also supports the event as a sponsor.  The cloth has been woven by Abraham Moon of Guiseley, West Yorkshire.

This will be the 158th Great Yorkshire Show and it will highlight the best of British farming with top class livestock competing for the coveted rosettes, the latest in agricultural technology with more farming visitors than ever expected. As well as the 8,000 livestock entries features include a live robotic milking exhibition from Lely providing a unique opportunity to see how technology is changing the face of modern dairying. In addition the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society is holding its Summer National Show with around 100 head of cattle expected.

The showground’s new £10m Hall 1 will also make its debut as a food emporium. It will be the setting for the Great Yorkshire Cheese and Dairy Show, a food theatre and food show.

Other attractions include displays by the motorcycle display team, Bolddog Lings, as well as international show jumping, a Garden Show, Art Show, a new look to the Country Pursuits and Forestry Areas and more than 1,300 stands with everything from jacuzzis to combine harvesters on display.

For the latest information see www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk