Nottinghamshire County Show returns to the showground to herald a blooming good spring
Thousands of people herded to the annual Nottinghamshire County Show on Saturday for a bumper day of 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 plenty to offer.
The show, the first county show of the season, has returned to its agricultural roots.
There was plenty to see and to do, with livestock judging on show and a chance to see many of the animals in their pens.
There were cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, all in a variety of breeds, and 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, but middle-aged men pushing wheelbarrows in less than intricate and demanding routines than their Hawk Jet-flying friends.
Vintage farming machinery was a show-stopper and, after judging, children could sit in the very many tractors that were were on show.
The Coutryside Ring was thronged with people keen to see ferrets in action, a gundog display, falconry, and have-a-go gog agility and flyball.
There were miniature donkeys alpacas to see farmyard friends from Whitepost Farm, Farnsfield, alongside sheep-shearing displays.
There was also a dog show in which owners could enter their hounds.
Countryside crafts such as woodturning, weaving, stonemasonry and chair-making were all there to see.
Children could have a go at making a magic wand from wood.
Morris dancers were popular.
There was a diverse offering in the food area where bands Highly Strung Quartet, Figure of Eight, Hot Dogs New Orleans Brass Band, The bluebird Belles and Blidworth Welfare Brass Band all performed.
There was renewed emphasis on getting people to bring their own produce to the show in the Make, Bake and Grow competition offering prizes for the best cakes, home-grown vegetables, jams and chutneys.
The floral classes witnessed many and beautiful arrangements.
There were performances all day in the Community Zone.
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. More seriously, people could also try to steer a remote control car through cones while wearing vision-altering goggles that showed how alcohol can distort perception when driving.
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.
Nottinghamshire County Council, Via East Midlands, Bingham Arena and many other public services advertised their work and there was also cycling proficiency.
The emergency services were out in force with police addressing rural crime concerns and showcasing the specialist kit they have for the job and families could board fire engines and try on the kit.
A number of charities were present, including Newark and Sherwood YMCA where activities included a climbing wall.
On the many aisles of Newark Showground were a mass of trade stands selling anything, and everything, from country clothing gard, to off-road vehicles and tarcators and combines, and from toys to outdoor living aids.
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.
