It is easy to see why Scottish exhibitors in increasing numbers are making the journey south to the Great Yorkshire Show – it is a true agricultural show in the best sense of the words.
It also satisfies the primeval Scottish urge to head over the border at least once a year in search of silverware and other assorted booty.
The Royal Show, until its untimely demise, used to fulfil the role but now it is clear that the Great Yorkshire is the show of choice.
Strangely, the Royal Show has been mentioned frequently this week but for all the wrong reasons.
Rather than fond remembrances of a once great event there is real anger over the Royal Agricultural Society of England’s decision to sell its collection of trophies, art and literature.
Breed society officials here at Harrogate are quietly furious that the “family silverware” is to be auctioned tomorrow in London.
At the moment they are reluctant to be quoted openly because in many cases they are negotiating to have trophies, which they believe belong to their societies rather than to RASE, returned to their custody.
The Great Yorkshire itself is, of course, unaffected and is clearly an event with plenty of confidence in its own durability.
This is the 156th show and the Yorkshire Agricultural Society was the first in the UK to have its own permanent showground.
The directors purchased 200 acres on the outskirts of Harrogate in 1949 and held their first show here in 1951. It is certainly popular, attracting around 130,000 visitors over the three-day run.
This gives it a daily attendance of more than 40,000 making it not too different from the Royal Highland Show although it, of course, has a four-day run.
Holding the Great Yorkshire mid-week does not seem to deter the general public.
The show has managed to achieve the same sort of balance between retailing and agriculture that has been such a success at the Royal Highland Show and as long as it continues to do so there will be no fear of its silverware being put on the market.