Livestock return in force
The Royal County of Berkshire Show - 21 and 22 September
09.09.02

Cattle, sheep and pigs will again take pride of place at the Royal County of Berkshire Show as livestock return in strength, after a year’s absence, to one of the country’s top ten agricultural shows.

It is over 90 years since the Newbury & District Agricultural Society put on a Show and there is always a mix of old favourites and exciting new attractions. A newcomer is “Granite Arm”. Farmers will be able to try their hand (literally) in the regional heat of this national arm wrestling competition. A lively, revamped and extended Education Tent, will feature a performance area as well as dozens of educational displays. Look out too for the Shopping Pavilion with its host of stylish, up to the minute, exhibitors.

Society Chairman, Michael Bowden, said, “I are delighted that once again we shall have a magnificent spectacle of cattle, sheep and pigs at Berkshire’s County Show.” Mr Bowden, a dairy farmer from Brimpton, continued, “Last year’s foot and mouth restrictions prevented livestock being on the Showground and we were unsure how many would return. The response though from farmers all across the country has been brilliant and we have nearly all the cattle breeds back again.”

During the action-packed weekend at Newbury Showground the White Helmets - Royal Signals Motorcycle Display Team - will ride through fire and water in a skilled and daring performance. Loud cheering will spur on the Portsmouth Area VCC Field Gun Display as teams race through a junior version of the Royal Tournament Gun Run and weather permitting, the Silver Eagles – The Army Air Corps Freefall Parachute Display Team - will also drop in.

Commenting on the huge two-day event, which supports the rural community and British farming, Mr Bowden said, “We have put together top class main arena attractions, entertaining displays, over five hundred trade stands and music and food to span all tastes - it truly is a Fun Day Out!”

The Country Area is packed with rural craft demonstrations, including basket, broom and coracle making and stick dressing and children particularly enjoy the many animals and insects like alpacas, bats, bees, deer, dogs, ferrets, hedgehogs and wolves (to name but a few!) that they can get to know.

For spectacle the colourful Band of the Adjutant’s General Corps will set feet tapping and the scores of ‘gentle giant’ heavy horses are always a highlight. The coaching parade will give a glimpse of a bygone age with horses, carriages and travellers decked out in their finest. Light horses too will go through their paces in the show jumping and judging rings.

The renowned Craft section gives visitors a chance to buy ‘something different, then there’s the Harvest Centre, Poultry Tent, Fun Fairs, Circus, Bandstand, Four Wheel Drive course, the list goes on.

The Royal County of Berkshire Show takes place on 21st and 22nd September at Newbury Showground adjacent to the M4/A34 Junction 13. Advance tickets: adult - £8.00, child (5-16 years) - £5.00, admission on the day: adult - £10.00 child - £6.00. A £20 family ticket (2 adults plus 2 children) is only available in advance. Telephone for credit/debit card bookings: 01635 247155 (up to Monday 16th September. For details of advance ticket outlets please contact the information line: 01635 247111.

For further press information please contact:
Annette Priestley
Comand (UK)
Tel: 01635 248258
e-mail: priestley@comanduk.co.uk