Since I moved ‘down south’ the Royal County of Berkshire Show has been an almost yearly event for me to attend. I love County shows for the vast array of things of offer, all under ‘one roof’ and couldn’t wait to take Baby with us this year.
We weren’t alone, 60,000 visitors attended the show and made it a really fantastic event.
This year’s main arena timetable, featured quad bike stuntman Kangaroo Kid and the Shetland Pony Grand National; the “Best in Berkshire” theme was evident around the showground.
2,000 animals and birds competed in various classes at the show and Baby was quite captivated by the pigs!
We obviously had the obligatory day out ice cream.
I have hopes that one day Baby will take part in the Shetland Pony Grand National at Olympia and this show holds the qualifiers. We really enjoyed watching these awesome ponies and the fabulous little jockey’s. I adore this little pony, who was sadly pipped at the post into second place.
Baby got quite into it, giving them a little clap.
Watch them go!
There was just enough time to watch the ‘big boys’ in one of the main show jumping classes of the day. I wish I could have watched more, but Baby was beginning to flag and needed to go home.
I loved the SMEG decor and was thinking how I could get the # into my car.
The Island Donkey Sanctuary were at the show with two gorgeous Donkeys, so we bought Baby her own Donkey to remember them by.
Other highlights of this year’s show included:
· A mini farm where youngsters could cuddle goats, spin wool, tickle piglets, hold chicks and groom donkeys
· A new 4 x 4 ŠKODA-sponsored driving experience which included provision for 11 – 17 year olds on an off-road course
· A machinery zone with a 100-year-old steam engine provided the power to carve up massive tree trunks – juxtaposed with a state-of-the-art satellite guided tractor going through its paces
· The flower tent introduced a number of new classes for 2015, including grow your own vegetables and floristry. The organisers were delighted by 17 ‘decorated pebbles’ from the Willows School in Newbury in the age 6-8 category. The inter-village competition was won by Great Shefford and best overall floral arts exhibit came from Maureen Lawes from Romsey
· The Sports Zone reported hundreds of youngsters filling out activity cards after trying out new activities, with rowing and snowboarding particular hits
· One craft exhibitor showed that perseverance pays off. In her eighth year at the show, best in show went to Francesca Cheong from Goblins, who creates and hand paints the collectables from Petersfield in Hampshire
· The Food Fayre was so popular that several stands sold out, including the Fudge Kitchen, with the owner hastily making more for Sunday’s trading until the early hours from his Windsor kitchens. First prize for the Most Attractive Exhibit went to the Amazing Chocolate Workshop, producing ultra-realistic objects and oddities from fine chocolate. Owner, Ed, said: “It has been a magnificent event. The smiles and gasps of delight and surprise as we show a functioning nut and bolt is what drives us to keep innovating.”
We had such a fabulous time at the show and are sure to be back again next year.
Disclosure: We received complimentary tickets in return for an honest review.
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