Hats off to farmer George, a great Yorkshire Show stalwart

DALE farmer George Westgarth was presented with a certificate by the president at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show to honour his 60 years of service to the show.

Mr Westgarth, of Newsham, has recently retired from the show after starting aged 17 as a cattle steward in 1956.

He joined Catterick Young Farmers at 17, becoming chairman and developing his knowledge on judging cattle through the enthusiasm of his club leader, Mr Greenwell.

During his years as a young farmer he took part in many judging competitions, including first prize at the Great Yorkshire Show in 1960 and culminating in judging for England at the Highland Show in 1962.

In 1961 Mr Westgarth and his wife, Dorothy, began farming at Newsham Hall, North Richmondshire, where the love of cattle shone through again with the start of the Newsham Limousin herd. With John Wilson as his stockman, the herd became successful in the show ring, notably with Newsham Georgia winning Breed Champion at the Great Yorkshire Show in 1996.

He said: “My annual three days at the Great Yorkshire Show has been a highlight of my calendar since 1956, stewarding the cattle, and meeting up with long- standing colleagues has left me with many fantastic memories. Over the latter years it has been good to see the younger generations coming forward and I know they can continue the great tradition of this great livestock show.”