The Dorset County Show made a joyful return this weekend.
More than 60,000 visitors attended the show held at the Dorchester Showground at Cokers Frome, enjoying a full programme of events and attractions across the two days.
The event is organised by the Dorchester Agricultural Society (DAS) and takes place on the first weekend of September every year although the pandemic put the show on hold since 2019.
The two-day event featured main ring events such as the show’s first Big Bale Challenge, Shopping at The Avenue, local artisan craft, food and drink, plus hundreds of competitive classes for cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, through to homecraft, horticulture and sheep shearing.
New to the show this year was the Fabulous Food & Farming Quiz Trail which offered educational information on the important interaction between farming, the environment and community in our everyday lives, allowing children to learn while they had fun exploring the showground.
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Nicki Ralph, chair of DAS, said: “As the leading agricultural show in Dorset, it is important to us to deliver a memorable county show.
"So much goes on behind the scenes to produce the event which requires the hard work of over 300 volunteers.
"We want to thank the community from far and wide for their continued support.
"It was a joy to see the showground full once again after two years away, and we’re proud to hold a show that our visitors have known and loved for more than 180 years. We’re already excited for the 2023 show, with plans already underway!”
Attendees travel from across the county and beyond to visit the annual event, with British expats such as Jane and Greg Newton, who now live in Western Australia, coming to this year’s show.
Jane said: “We loved the show so much when we visited last time that we had to return this year. We planned our trip to England around the Dorset County Show, and it was the highlight of our holiday once again! We sat in the shade and really enjoyed ourselves watching the ring spectacles, in particular the horse drawn races. It was magnificent, a real day to remember, a world class experience.”
Next year, the show is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 2 and Sunday, September 3.
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