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Shows
North Somerset Show
The 149th North Somerset Show on Bank Holiday Monday, May 5, is the Westcountry's first agricultural show of the year.
The event's organisers have planned a full range of showing classes for cattle, sheep, pigs, llamas and horses and new this year is a Shorthorn Breed Society calf show.
North Somerset is the only show in the South West to feature tractor pulling. The sport has a huge following and this year promises some thrilling action as the modified tractors compete in the power pulling contests.
For power of a different type the majestic heavy horses celebrate the history of the society's early days when horses were used on the land. To continue the trip down memory lane, showgoers can visit the vintage tractor display.
Terrier racing, dog agility, sheep dog displays and rural craft demonstrations will entertain families, and those wishing to shop can choose from the large variety of food and trade stands. The show celebrates all that is good about life in North Somerset and offers great value for money. Tickets bought in advance are up to 30 per cent cheaper than on-the-day prices and car parking is free.
Call 01749 813899 or visit the show's website www.nsas.org.uk to take advantage of this great ticket offer.
Totnes and District Show
The Totnes and District 90th Anniversary Show is being held at Berry Farm, Berry Pomeroy, Totnes, on Thursday, July 31.
A great day is being organised to celebrate this milestone in the show's history. It will be a memorable day out for all the family. Animals will play a large part, with cattle, sheep, horse and pony classes, rabbits and poultry. Non-affiliated show jumping, introduced last year, will again be on the schedule.
Lamb shearing is proving to be very popular, and the food hall exhibitors of high quality local foods increased annually, showing off Westcountry products. Vintage machinery, vintage cars and a show history tent will add to the occasion.
There will be more than 180 trade stands and a large craft marquee for some 70 stalls. Catering and bar facilities will provide for all needs, and there will be a drop in centre for young children
The traditional main ring event will start with demonstrations by The King's Troop, and will include the grand parade of all livestock class winners together with side saddle riding, private carriage driving, falconry displays, parade of hounds and beagles, the hilarious terrier racing and the day will end with exciting Pony Club games.
n Full details can be obtained from the show secretary on 01548 821070, by emailing showsecretary08@totnesshow.com or at www.totnesshow.com.
Dunster Show
Dunster Show, on Friday August 15, is not to be missed. There will be classes for horses, sheep and cattle, a YFC beef stock judging class, with a cup to the winner and £30 in prize money. New miniature horse classes are also included this year.
Main Ring entertainment includes the Devil's Horsemen with their Wild West Show, an eagle and vulture display, the parade of hounds, Pony Club mounted games and a demonstration by West Somerset Polo Club.
Trade stands, saddlers row, food outlets, Gerald David butchers display tent, archery, static machinery displays, craft tent, terrier racing, rare breeds and smallholders should make it a day not to be missed.
Entrance fees are £8 for adults, £3 children, no concessions. There is free parking. Details and schedules (Entries close July 1) are available from Mrs R Langdon, Apple Tree House, Higher Vexford, Lydeard St Lawrence, Taunton, TA4 3QF. secretary@dunstershow.demon.co.uk.
Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show
Tractors rule at the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show and, despite all the problems in the agricultural industry, there will be more tractor and machinery dealers at this traditional event than ever.
The show has a reputation for having more agri trade exhibitors than most of the multi-day events and has received bookings from nine new agricultural exhibitors.
Livestock entries continue to increase year on year, sheep entries have broken all records with a new set of classes being introduced for Hampshire and Ryeland Sheep as a result of extra entries for that breed. Cattle entries have also broken records with a number of new exhibitors supporting these classes.
The Gillingham and Shaftewsbury is a show for the whole family and new features this year include a visit for the Rangemaster Cookery Theatre featuring celebrity chef Lesley Waters whose cookery school is located just down the road in Evershot.
For the younger visitors the Circus Wizz interactive circus skills workshop and the games activity arena will provide hours of exciting entertainment.
Main ring attractions include the Imps Youth Motorcycle Display Team, Scurry Driving Championship, hot air balloons, heavy horses and show jumping.
In the Turnpike Ring, ferret and terrier racing, birds of prey and gun dog displays will keep the crowds enthralled.
With a huge food hall, a local real ale bar and two big picnic areas offering a wide variety of foods there is something for everyone at this year's Gillingham and Shaftesbury Agricultural Show scheduled for on Wednesday, August 20.
Launceston Agricultural Show
THE Launceston Agricultural Association will be holding its 120th annual exhibition at Kennard's House on Thursday, July 17.
The association is privileged to have as its president Mr Steve Colwill, a well-known local farmer who has been actively involved with the show for a number of years. The show is traditionally a day when folk of various backgrounds meet, put to one side their problems and have an enjoyable day out.
This year the secretary has wherever possible tried to acquire services for the show from local resources. The nucleus of the show is local support, which extends on a voluntary basis to areas of Cornwall and Devon. An attempt has been made to reciprocate this by purchasing our requirements from these areas. It is essential that wherever possible we all support local businesses, particularly during these difficult times. The association is attempting to play its role because it is firmly of the opinion that support of this nature will help the area's economy.
The 2008 show will we hope be special, not only to those who are involved in its arrangement, but also to all participants. The trade and Cornwall and Devon foods space will as ever be full well before the closing date. Cattle and sheep numbers are on the increase. The horse classes, despite there being no show jumping, will be as strong as ever.
As always the floral exhibition is a great attraction, creating some wonderful displays. The Women's Institute once again will be an integral part of the show. The Young Farmers' club competitions and displays as always very popular. The show has a Cornwall and Devon foods marquee to promote the food products of our local producers. Enterprise Tamar will once again be arranging the craft marquee to enable small businesses to market their products and services.
Attractions include the grand parade of the livestock exhibits, birds of prey, donkey derby, musical bands and the show theatre with entertainment for all the family throughout the day.
Further information can be obtained from the secretary, Jill Stevenson, on 01566 775483.
Honiton Agricultural Show
The 118th Honiton Agricultural Show takes place on Thursday, August 7. Livestock entries at last year's show reached a record high and were extremely well supported on the day. This year organisers are delighted to have been chosen to be a qualifying event for Beef Event South West and those going forward to the Grand Final at Hatherleigh are competing for £500 first prize. Honiton Show introduces increasingly popular Alpaca classes for the first time this year and organisers are sure that these wonderful animals will add a new and exciting dimension in the livestock sections. The showground provides an excellent vantage point to view all the different breeds and the competitive Young Farmer's classes.
With over 400 trade stands and a hive of activity in the main ring throughout the day with the main attractions provided by Jason Smyth's Adrenaline Tour and a full military marching band, the show provides a unique atmosphere with something for all the family and truly rural treat bringing traditional and new agriculture together. Gates open at 8am. Anyone requiring further details should contact the secretary on 01404 41794.
12:52pm Thursday 3rd April 2008
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