A new secretary has taken over the reins at Ryedale Show.

Keira Sirr-Hovendon joins the team alongside a number of new appointments on the organising committee for this year's event which takes place on Tuesday, July 25.

A show office has also opened two days a week in Kirkbymoorside,

Keira has returned to Yorkshire after a number of years working for the National Trust countryside teams and Fix the Fells upland footpath project in the Lake District and was appointed at an Extraordinary General Meeting held last November. 

She said: “I am so excited to be involved in organising Ryedale Show.

"It’s a fantastic, traditional agricultural show and I will definitely be looking to maintain that atmosphere. It’s a huge privilege to be involved in such an important part of the local community. The Committee are a lovely bunch - they’re so passionate about the Show and eager to do everything possible to make it enjoyable for everyone. We have quite a few new faces on the Committee too this year, with a younger generation coming through.”

Former Secretary, Christine Thompson, who retired from her post after the 2022 show, is helping Keira learn the ropes and has stayed on to organise the trade stands this year.

Other new Section Secretaries include Jo Dowson, who has taken over from Malcolm Leckenby as Produce Secretary after his impressive 30 year stint. Kirsty Kirk has joined the team as Children’s Secretary. Rachel Adams has taken over as Livestock Secretary and Holly Gibson has taken on the brand new role of Sponsorship Secretary.

Keira said: “We do have some new ideas planned including a Scurry that anyone can enter with any breed of dog and the development of our Countryside Pursuits section. Our focus is firmly on the rural way of life that is so well preserved here in Ryedale.”

Ryedale Show has one of the highest number of livestock entries to any show in Yorkshire, a large number of horse competitions, a wide array of craft, trade and local food stalls, sheep dog trials, vintage machinery, children’s activities and more.

The Show has experienced a number of changes in recent years, with online shows during the two covid years of 2020 and 2021, and the introduction of online entries for 2022’s in-person show.

“It’s important that the way the show is organised changes with the times in order to survive, whilst still preserving the traditions intrinsic to the show” said Keira. “We know some people struggled with the online system last year, so we have opened a Show Office in Kirkbymoorside so people can drop in if they need help or just want to say hello.”

The new Ryedale Show Office can be found on the top floor at 2 Market Place, Kirkbymoorside and will be open Mondays and Thursdays.

For more information contact Keira Sirr-Hovendon Ryedale Show Secretary on 07984 939701, email  info@ryedaleshow.co.uk  or go to  ryedaleshow.co.uk.

Ryedale Show Office, 2 Market Place, Kirkbymoorside, YO62 6BB.