Future shows must look to past
Organisers hail diversity of show and say celebrating "unique" agricultural heritage of Berkshire imperative
FROM llamas and falcons to giant wicker sculptures and gravity-defying horse acrobatics, the diversity of the Royal County of Berkshire Show is what makes it a unique show-piece agricultural event, according to the organisers.
Newbury and District Agricultural Society chairman Alan Pooles and president Malcolm Bull have both spoken of their pride at overseeing the event at Newbury Showground and their year in charge, and have hailed the volunteers and thousands of people bringing trade stands and animals to show for making it another successful year.
Despite the economic gloom and financial hardship facing the country, Mr Pooles said it was heartening to see so many people turn out year on year and continue to make the show a success.
“Every year we come here to celebrate the agricultural heritage of Berkshire and it is so important to retain that and keep doing it. You don't get this anywhere else,” he said.
“There is so much to do here, you have the band of the brigade of Gurkhas, and then you have Dexter shows, it diversity of the show is wonderful.
“It has been an emotional day for me personally and I really don't have any particular stand-out moments from the year, every single second has been special.
“The future of the show is in good hands with Ian Nutt taking over in December, I know he is already planning his year,” he said.
Mr Bull said the breadth of the experience for people was what keep the crowds coming back, with numbers expected to be in line with last year when tens of thousands of people descended on the grounds.
“We have so many local businesses, big firms as well as independents all coming to show their wares and that was what it was like all those years ago,” he said.
“There is so much here for children that is what makes the difference for many, they can't get as close to animals like this elsewhere and that makes a real difference.
“It has been a tremendous honour for me to be the president and I would like to thank all the volunteers for giving up their time to help out.”
For more interviews and much more from the show see Thursday's Newbury Weekly News.
