They might not have picked up a pair of knitting needles for many years, but the top team at the Yorkshire Agricultural Society had a go at the hobby that’s sweeping Hollywood, and being showcased at this month’s Countryside Live.

Countryside Live, organised by the Society, takes place on Saturday, 22 and Sunday 23 October at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate.

Within the event the Country Crafts Experience features members of the Women’s Institute showing visitors how to knit, following in the footsteps of Hollywood actresses Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz.

Knitting supremo and WI member Lesley Fidler took time out of her busy schedule to offer the Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s chief executive Nigel Pulling and honorary show director Bill Cowling a lesson in knitting.

NIgel said: “Knitting is both relaxing and creative and is a great hobby for all ages and also has an end product. It is really encouraging to see knitting coming back into fashion and it is also good for sheep farmers. It’s great fun having a go – but I think I’ll leave it to Lesley in future.”