Halifax's Hannah Cockroft and Lizzie Jones wow crowds on day one of the Great Yorkshire Show

Halifax's Paralympic star Hannah Cockroft and singer Lizzie Jones wowed the crowds on day of the Great Yorkshire Show.
Soprano Lizzie Jones performs in the main ring on the first day of the Great Yorkshire Show. Picture Tony Johnson.Soprano Lizzie Jones performs in the main ring on the first day of the Great Yorkshire Show. Picture Tony Johnson.
Soprano Lizzie Jones performs in the main ring on the first day of the Great Yorkshire Show. Picture Tony Johnson.

The pair took part in The Great Yorkshire Show catwalk which proved once again that the county is home to some of the key players in British fashion.

As a showcase for the region's leading designers, as well as future talent, there undoubtedly an element of prestige attached to being invited to present your designs at the show's Fashion Pavilion.

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From classic men's tailoring, to elegant couture evening gowns, it was full on glamour at this year's event.

The Great Yorkshire Show Fashion Show, fashion celebrities, Ryan Sidebottom (Brook Taverner), Lizzie Jones (Jillian Welsh), Hannah Cockroft (Sandersons), Red Shepherdess Hannah Jackson (Galijah), and Peter Wright (Brook Taverner).The Great Yorkshire Show Fashion Show, fashion celebrities, Ryan Sidebottom (Brook Taverner), Lizzie Jones (Jillian Welsh), Hannah Cockroft (Sandersons), Red Shepherdess Hannah Jackson (Galijah), and Peter Wright (Brook Taverner).
The Great Yorkshire Show Fashion Show, fashion celebrities, Ryan Sidebottom (Brook Taverner), Lizzie Jones (Jillian Welsh), Hannah Cockroft (Sandersons), Red Shepherdess Hannah Jackson (Galijah), and Peter Wright (Brook Taverner).

And this year's show was a poignant one for family-owned department store Sandersons, which showcased pieces from their autumn/winter collection on the Kuoni catwalk.

The Sheffield-based independent business was a long-held dream of founder Deborah Holmes, who died two years after cutting the ribbon for its opening.

Deborah was determined to feature a collection at last year's Great Yorkshire Show, however she was too ill to realise her ambition.

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Her sister Amanda Holmes said: "It was emotional. Deborah would have been so proud to see that. We are incredibly proud for a little independent store to be up there."

Joining the models this year in the show's new spacious home, which is next door to its old one, was a selection of well-known Yorkshire faces.

Five-time gold medal winning Paralympian, Hannah Cockcroft, joined Red Shepherdess Hannah Jackson , sporting soprano Lizzie Jones, cricketing legend Ryan Sidebottom and the Yorkshire Vet, Peter Wright, who joked that he would "feel more at home with the bulls".

Miss Cockroft said: "I loved it. It was really good fun. It was a great experience to dress up and not just be Hannah the athlete."

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This year ITV Calendar's Christine Talbot made her GYS Fashion Show debut hosting the catwalk show, which also featured designs from classic menswear outfitters, Brook Taverner.

Sheep farmer Sarina Dean also made her debut with her fine wool capes. Looking at ways to diversify on the 190-acre North Yorkshire farm, Ms Dean started making capes and after orders from her family and friends set up the label Galijah. The family business has gone from strength-to-strength, with orders coming in from as far afield as the USA and Japan.

A selection of couture evening gowns designed and made by Harrogate-based bespoke designer Jillian Welch also wowed the packed pavilion.

She said: "It was fabulous and really enjoyable. I think it's fantastic because I don't think people realise just how much stuff is going on in Yorkshire. It just shows the creativity is here. We

have just got to make sure people know about it."

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A touch of London Fashion Week glamour came from Leeds Arts University graduate Mary Benson. The Yorkshire-born designer showcased her designs which have caught the eye of start including Rita Ora, Paloma Faith and Ellie Goulding.

Mrs Jones, from Halifax, also performed the epic song Nessun Dorma, famously sung by Luciano Pavarotti, and, like last year, Jerusalem.

“I wanted to do it bigger and better,” she said of her show return. “I’ve been rehearsing for a while. Nessun Dorma is a big song traditionally sung by a male but hey, why not? And big notes, but this kind of event needs this kind of song, and that’s why I’ve gone with Jerusalem again, it needs that anthem.”

Joining her for the performances was The Band of the Yorkshire Regiment.

“Being the first to sing in the main ring was a huge honour, and to be asked again, I wasn’t expecting it,” she said.

“I’m just absolutely delighted to be here.”