Meet the team working hard to prepare for Driffield Show 2025

The proud custodian of Driffield Showground is how Tom Woodall sees his role as he looks forward to his first Driffield Show as chief executive of Driffield Agricultural Society.

Tom was appointed to lead the Driffield Agricultural Society into 2025 and beyond last October, after his predecessor David Tite left to take on his new role as society manager at the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

He said the highlight of his first six months in the role has been getting to know his close-knit team of Cheryl Lynch, Elaine Thompson, Tippi Wadsworth, Tim Goodyear and Frank O’Neil, and the army of volunteers who help to bring together the events at the Driffield Showground.

Momentum is now gathering as Tom and his team focus their attentions on next month’s Schools Education Day and Countryside Careers Evening on 21st and 22nd May, and then the big event – the 149th Driffield Show, which takes place on Wednesday 16th July.

Tom told the Wolds Weekly that he is under no illusions about the amount of hard work and effort that goes into making these events run smoothly.

“It has been a great first six months in the role and I have met such lovely people who work closely with Driffield Agricultural Society,” he said.

“The highlight has been getting to know my team and the hundreds of volunteers, who work together to bring the Driffield Show, the Education Day and Countryside Careers Evening together.

“It is not lost on me how big a job this is for such a small team and my role is to steer the ship, and I am grateful to be supported by an amazing group of people.

“Momentum is gathering now as we move into spring, and we are looking forward to welcoming visitors to the site.”

Following a career spanning 27 years serving as a professional soldier in the British Army and a further four years in the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, Tom was looking for a change of career. Pursuing an interest in agriculture, he studied agronomy.

He spent six months as a farm manager at Soanes Poultry before being appointed to the role at Driffield Agricultural Society.

“The farm manager role opened my eyes to food production and livestock management,” he said.

“I had been to the Showground previously to speak about a role, and when David announced he was leaving, I saw this as an opportunity where I could draw on my past experience in the military of planning large-scale training events and ceremonial parades, including a visit by HRH Princess Royal in 2012.”

Tom said he is looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead and thanked his team for their invaluable support.

Next month will see Driffield Agricultural Society’s annual Food and Farming Education Day. Around 1,700 schoolchildren from 47 schools across East Yorkshire, Hull and parts of North Yorkshire will gather at Driffield Showground on 21st May to gain an insight into where their food comes from and how it is produced.

Around 70 farmers, growers and food producers will stage exhibits giving the children an understanding of the origins of the food they eat and how much of it can be produced on farms in East Yorkshire.

This will be followed on 22nd May by the Countryside Careers Evening, aimed at giving students and those looking for a career change an insight into the employment opportunities in agriculture and the countryside.

“I am hugely invested in the Schools Education Day which helps to sow the seeds in young people’s minds about where their food comes from, environmental stewardship and how we can be more efficient in food production, lower carbon emissions and be kinder to the environment.

“The Careers Evening is equally important because we want to be able to keep school leavers in this area, and we need to open their eyes to the options available to them in agriculture and roles in the countryside, and also to people wanting to change careers later in their life.”

The showcase event on the Driffield Agricultural Society’s calendar is the Driffield Show, which this year takes place on Wednesday 16th July. Tom said there is plenty to look forward to, whether visitors are from an agricultural background or not.

“This year we have in excess of 400 trade stands booked. We are looking forward to seeing the Bolddog Lings Freestyle Motocross Team appearing in the main ring thanks to our sponsors GSC Grays.

“We have a fantastic livestock section with the finest cattle, sheep and pigs, and our equine section will be showcasing in the main ring from heavy horses to ponies and showjumping.

“For those who appreciate large machinery, the forestry section will return with demonstrations running throughout the day. Meanwhile, the agricultural machinery demonstration stands will showcase impressive farm equipment essential to food production.

“After a busy day visiting the different areas of the show, visitors can head to the Rose Cottage food court which will feature independent food trade stands.

“There is a little bit of something for everyone, whether you are from an agricultural background or not.

“The Driffield Show is a huge community gathering, and this is the 149th year – so it will always have that draw for the agricultural community.

“For the general public, it is renowned for being the biggest and best one-day show in the UK, and for such a small town, we are punching above our weight in that respect.

“I am looking ahead to my first show with excited apprehension. I am sure I will have some sleepless nights in the run-up, but I am excited to see my first event.”

Looking forward, Tom said he is open to ideas to make improvements to keep the Society moving forwards.

“I am the proud custodian of this showground, and I want to keep the injection of pride in it and futureproof it for generations to come,” he said.

“My thanks go to my team who have really helped me to settle so I am prepared to take on the challenge.”