71,000
people flocked to enjoy the spectacle of the 47th South of England
Show at the South of England Showground in Ardingly on 5-7 June 2014. The largest agricultural show in the region
was declared a great success by organisers with numbers up 3,000 on last year.
The
Princess Royal was warmly welcomed by crowds, presenting rosettes to carriage
drivers from the Riding for the Disabled Association and visiting growing
displays in the Wildlife, Farming and Forestry area and the Horticulture
Marquee. She then attended the AGM of the Royal Agricultural Society of the
Commonwealth, which was hosted at the show.
On the
opening day of the show, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs Owen Paterson MP was well received by 150 farmers, pledging that he
would put agriculture at the forefront of government policy and saying he was
committed to growing UK food exports.
The three-day
event showcased the best of agriculture and farming across the South East, with
superb displays covering every aspect of country life, supported by continuous
arena action in the show’s four rings.
In
celebration of the Year of Horticulture, the Flower Marquee was in full bloom
with some stunning displays including nine windows of horticulture demonstrating
the best from specialists across the region.
Dozens
of Primary Schools were asked to celebrate the Year of Horticulture theme by
producing the most unusual planter, the most dazzling display or the most
creative use of plants and they fulfilled the criteria with some wonderful
colourful creations in the Knowledge Box.
Visitors
enjoyed seeing the Young Craftsman of the Year Competition exhibition and
17-year-old Thomas Streeter from The Weald Sixth Form College in East Sussex
was presented with first prize by Lord Egremont, this year’s President of the
South of England Agricultural Society, for his beautifully turned wood pieces.
World
class stuntmen The Kangaroo Kids made their debut at the show, wowing crowds
with dare
The
Show is the flagship annual event organised by the South of England
Agricultural Society, which is a charity promoting education about the
countryside. CEO Iain Nicol said, “I want to pay tribute to and thank the 2,000
plus volunteers who put so much energy and enthusiasm into making this event
possible and to all our exhibitors for their hard work and support in helping
us make this such a special show.”
Twenty
organisers of agricultural shows from across the United States also visited and
enjoyed the event, describing it as offering a true taste of British rural
life.
Join
us at our next show, the Autumn Show & Game Fair on 4th & 5th
October.
