It’s been many years since I went to a country show but surprisingly little had changed over the years.
The highlight of the show was always an aerial display by the Armed Forces. This year a display by the Paratroop Regiment who drew shapes in the air as they jumped from the plane, before landing on a cross in the main arena.
All of the services had display stands and activities for the children as well. Recruiting for the future!
It took me most of the day but I finally worked my way round to the horticultural exhibits. Tables of plants and seeds to buy and displays to admire.
I obviously had to visit the beekeeping stand and admire the honey and associated wares on show. I wasn’t so impressed by the observation hive but it wasn’t aimed at those of us who are in the know!
The small livestock cages were full of variety. My childhood rabbit looked just like this one. He was called Bobtail and had a kick like a mule and was happy to show you. He would not have won a prize in any sort of show!
The incubator of eggs and chicks seemed cruel in a hot and stuffy room full of noise and bustle. The cockerels added to the experience by crowing constantly and competitively.
The smallholding area had lots of cute animals and skilled homemakers.
The main arena had displays all day. Most of them were horse based and Miss C was in her element.
The carts and horses were polished to perfection and demonstrated the best of the past. The parts we should remember and celebrate but some of the past is best swept under the carpet and we need to let it go. The hunt in my opinion is part of that and the shows blatant support for it left a nasty taste in my mouth.
I eat meat, abhor the current abortior system and appreciate how one unexpected shot could be kinder than that. However I could not have been the only person around the ring who found the pampering to the hunt over the top. The watching children were all encouraged to enter the ring and meet the dogs. Dogs who will happily rip a furry creature limb from limb. We were told hunting is a sport for all, rich or poor, young and old. While we all know that horses cost a fortune to keep, farm land does not belong to all and it’s no fun running through cold muddy fields with arthritis or cheap boots! We also know hunting live prey is illegal, but dogs can’t read, and that everyone else has to wear a riding hat on a horse. Like slavery, cock fighting and bear baiting some traditions are best left in the past.
Rant over!
This was the best part of the show. A very funny sheep shearer and his dancing sheep. It seems they perform all over the country.
They were informative, well planned, slightly risque at times, funny and cute. A fine example of exactly what a good show should have.
We came home, hot, dusty and tired. We didn’t get time to see everything but covered a lot. We had a good old fashioned day out. Something Britain did so well before commercialisation and greed got the better of us!