Meet Derek Noble, President of Stokesley Show 2026

We’re delighted to introduce Derek Noble as this year’s President of Stokesley Show — a fitting honour for a man whose connection to the Show, and to North Yorkshire’s farming community, stretches back an incredible 60 years.

Derek’s history with the Show began not as a spectator, but as an exhibitor, bringing company trade stands to the showground long before he ever imagined taking on the President’s role. Over six decades, he’s watched the Show grow and change, while always staying true to its roots — and he’s become a familiar, much-loved face along the way.

A lifetime rooted in North Yorkshire agriculture

After graduating from the Royal Agricultural College, Derek arrived in North Yorkshire in 1965 to take up a role as a technical representative for RHM Agriculture. From there, his career took him into sales management and eventually to Managing Director of Cutis Moody, a regional agricultural merchant and feed manufacturer based in Great Ayton.

In 1981, Derek and his wife Jean took the leap into business together, launching a local fuel distributorship that served the farming community for the next 25 years. It’s a partnership — in business and in life — that Derek still describes as his proudest achievement, joking that he was “punching above his weight” in marrying Jean.

A memory that still makes him smile

Ask Derek for a favourite Show memory, and he doesn’t hesitate. On the Noble Fuels trade stand one year, the late Lesley Martin — a senior show committee officer and past president — was proudly demonstrating his vintage, single-cylinder Field Marshall tractor to a gathered crowd. It happened to be the very first year the Society had appointed a health and safety officer, and at the height of the excitement, the newly appointed officer shut the whole exhibit down — much to Lesley’s disgust and lasting annoyance. It’s a story Derek still tells with a smile.

Decades of service to the community

Beyond his business career, Derek has given generously of his time to local causes, serving as a School Governor for 43 years, Chairman of The Jack Brunton Charitable Trust for 40 years, and in leadership roles with both the Cleveland Farmers Charity Ball and the Peat Rigg Outdoor Centre in Pickering.

He also happily counts himself among the Show’s “loss-making hobby farmers,” and is looking forward to keeping its old traditions alive this year — not least, finding a moment to show off his old grey Fergie tractor. (If it is working!) It’s a real family affair too, with three generations of the Noble family attending and taking part in the Show each year.

A surprising honour

For Derek, taking on the role of President is a moment of real pride. “A very surprising honour,” he calls it — being finally accepted, after 60 years, within the agricultural community of North Yorkshire as an incomer.

Looking ahead to this year’s Show, Derek’s wish is simple: a bright, warm, sunny day and a record attendance. And his message to everyone taking part is one he holds close: it’s taking part and enjoying the fun, rather than winning, that counts.

We’re thrilled to have Derek at the helm this year, and hope you’ll join us in wishing him — and the weather — well.

To join Derek at the show this year,  you will need some tickets. Don’t miss out on the EarlyBird tickets available online – click here to buy online directly or Join the Stokesley Agricultural Society as a Member for some great show perks. Find out more