Jo Sutton’s first experience of Tockwith Agricultural Show was competing as a 12-year-old girl in the pony class. Now she has just been chosen to be the Show's President for 2025.
Jo is the owner of Joywyns Pet and Country food store - previously called Discount Foods - just outside Wetherby, and her company is also the main sponsor for the show, which is one of the largest of its type in the region.
She said:
“The offer of becoming President came totally out of the blue, but I had absolutely no hesitation in accepting it.
“Tockwith Show has always had a real sense of community. I remember how excited I was when I competed as a child, so this is a real honour.”
The show wasn’t held this year because of a shortage of helpers, but following a successful appeal for new volunteers it will be returning in August next year.
Jo added:
“I’m delighted to see that the show is going ahead once again, particularly at a time when so many similar shows in the region are being forced to close.
"It really highlights the importance of the farming community to this region, and it’s also a really fun day out for thousands of people.”
As President, Jo has chosen to support two local charity organisations during her year in office: Saint Michael’s Hospice in Harrogate, where her father was cared for before he died, and the Yorkshire Childrens’ Charity which was set up in 2022 to help children who need help because of disability, ill health or financial circumstances.
The show Chair, Georgina Watson said she was delighted that Jo had agreed to be President.
She said:
“Jo is passionate about the show and has been a real supporter of ours for decades, so I can’t think of anyone more suited to take on this role in our come-back year.”
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