A long-running agricultural show in Harrogate, England, just broke new records — all thanks to the popularity of their prized cheeses.
The Great Yorkshire Show was first held in 1837 in North Yorkshire as a way for farmers across the country to exhibit livestock and trade goods.
Traditionally, the Great Yorkshire Show caps off the festivities with a cheese and dairy auction, in which judges rate selected cheese and dairy products and visitors place bids on their favorites.
In recent years, the proceeds from the cheese auction have gone to local charities. From 2014 to 2024, the cheese auction garnered over £50,000 ($67,155.75 USD) for Herriot Hospice Homecare, The Samaritan’s Regional Rural Initiative, Addington Fund, and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Last year’s funds went to Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution , a charity that works to reduce poverty and hardship in farming families across England.
Caroline Bell, who has served as chief steward of the Great Yorkshire Show’s cheese and dairy section for five years, said the cheese auction “is always a highlight” of the agricultural showcase.
“It really is our visitors who make it such a big success,” Bell said in a press release last summer. “The auctioneers do such a brilliant job and it’s amazing to have raised over £8,500 for RABI and their invaluable work.”
This July, the Great Yorkshire Show’s bids increased by 47%, with the cheese auction raising a whopping £12,502 ($16,786.84 USD) in bids — the highest amount raised in the auction’s history.
“We’re incredibly grateful to our generous cheesemakers for donating their award-winning cheeses, and to our brilliant auctioneers who bring such energy to the event,” Bell told Hull Live. “A heartfelt thank you as well to the public who joined in with such enthusiasm.”
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The proceeds will be split between two charities: The Samaritan’s Regional Rural Initiative and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
“What a brilliant result! I am delighted that the cheese auction continues to be such a great success and for two great charities,” said show director Rachel Coates.
“Samaritans have gone to great efforts over recent years to promote their freephone helpline to the farming community, while the Yorkshire Air Ambulance is another lifeline service which you hope you never have to use, but which is hugely appreciated by rural communities for their rapid response to emergency situations in difficult to reach locations.”
The winning cheeses included Snowdonia’s Black Bomber Cheddar, Barncliffe Brie, and Wensleydale cheese (a favorite in the eyes of British claymation duo Wallace and Gromit).
Coates and Bell said they looked forward to returning next year to raise more donations for people in need.
“It’s a true celebration of the spirit and generosity of our cheese community,” Bell said.
Header image via Nataliya Melnychuk / Unsplash
