Nottinghamshire County Show heralded a major success

Thousands of people herded through the gates of the annual Nottinghamshire County Show on Saturday for a bumper day of farming fun and attractions.

Newark Showground was a hive of activity as Nottinghamshire celebrated everything that is wholesome and appetising about the county’s rich agricultural heritage.

The slimmed-down show, again one day rather than two, and missing some key attractions such as the funfair and the military, still had a tremendous amount to offer.

The chairman of Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society, Roger Jackson heralded the show as a huge success, estimating that around 15,000 people flocked to the show.

“The weather was fine and dry, which suits the livestock better as well as the paying visitors,” said Mr Jackson, a farmer and district and county councillor.

“Everybody seemed very happy with the way in which it went. I personally don’t think it could have gone any better.

“Entries into the show classes were up from last year. The cattle, pig, sheep and goats were fantastic and we had rabbits for the first time.

“The Community Zone featured Nottinghamshire County Council for the first time in many a year, something I was keen for, and the district council were actively involved. That community interaction with local authorities I think is very necessary. Portland College were fantastic.

“It was a true county show, and the one-day format rather than two really seemed to work again.

“There was a record number of trade stands this year.

“The Countryside Area was popular and showed-off everything that is great about the Nottinghamshire countryside; somewhere and something that people love.

“The Food Area featured very many locals and was busy. People will go away and look up these people again, which means its good for businesses.

“The best thing was that we were able to promote agriculture and the countryside way of life to a big mix of people who would have learned a lot, which is a positive.

“The county show is becoming great again after a few years in the wilderness not so long back.”

The show, the first county show of the season, has returned to its agricultural roots.

There were cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, all in a variety of breeds, some of them rare. There was showjumping in dedicated rings, including junior sections.

There were returning favourites to the main ring such as the ridden, small. lightweight, and heavyweight ridden hunters, private carriage driving, a display of cultivation through the ages, that included horse-drawn ploughs. Main Ring attractions included the Thoresby Park Polo Club who were promoting their sport, particularly to juniors, and The Pony Club Prince Philip Mounted Games.

The Nottinghamshire YFC lawnmower racing, as ever, was a huge crowd-pleaser, as the did the quirky fun provided by the Barlow Red Barrows Display team – a take off of the Red Arrows.

Vintage farming machinery was a show-stopper. The Countryside Area was thronged with people keen to see ferrets in action, a gundog display, falconry, and have-a-go gog agility and flyball.

Countryside crafts such as woodturning, weaving, stonemasonry and chair-making were all there to see.

There was renewed emphasis on getting people to bring their own produce to the show in the Make, Bake and Grow competition.

The floral classes witnessed many and beautiful arrangements.

Newark and Sherwood District Council was promoting its services with the added fun of a dog identification quiz as the authority is responsible for the collection of strays.

Portland College took centre stage with its pupils’ musical performances as did the Ukrainian Choir, with all donations going to aid human suffering in their war-torn homeland.

The emergency services were out in force with police addressing rural crime concerns and families could board fire engines.

A number of charities were present, including Newark and Sherwood YMCA where activities included a climbing wall.

Click here for more pictures from your county show, and maybe spot yourself.

Towards the end of the day, gazes turned to the skies as the many watched the remaining few with a flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire and Hurricane.