Newbury Showground breaks ground

First sod turned on £1m show building at Chieveley

WORK has officially begun on the £1m Society Building at Newbury Showground.

A ground-breaking ceremony took place yesterday (Wednesday), marking the start of the ambitious project which has been on the drawing board for around 20 years.

The new facilities are designed to put the Newbury and District Agricultural Society’s Royal County of Berkshire Show firmly in the nation’s top league.

In addition the building can be let out to boost the society’s charitable and educational objectives.

Yesterday’s removal of the first turf was undertaken by this year’s show president and joint chairman of Reading FC, Sir John Madejski.

The event also marked a new partnership between the society and Greenham Common Trust, which offered to match-fund up to half of the £375,000 outstanding.

The society is now looking to raise a further £131,000 through grants and donations.

The chief executive of the Greenham Common Trust, Chris Boulton, said: “We were keen to support the new Society Building as we saw this as a key facility to enhance the public enjoyment of the Royal County of Berkshire Show.

“This was, of course, combined with the educational benefits as it will be utilised in programmes for schoolchildren across the trust’s catchment area.”

The new 3,200 sq m building will be multi-faceted, but its prime role will be to equip the 150-acre showground with high level animal welfare facilities while also improving the viewing experience for the public.

The chief executive of the Newbury and District Agricultural Society, Daren Bowyer, said: “Like the great majority of county shows, we have relied on marquees for our extensive cattle lines and that is no longer ideal for the animals or for the public.

“The new building will be cooler, with good air flow and without hindrances like guy ropes.

“Owners will be better able to access and care for their animals, in a fully secure environment.”

The building will also have a key part to play in the society’s educational programme which aims to help the next generation value the countryside and understand where food comes from.

The current programme covers schools across Berkshire, and has started to reach into South Oxfordshire and North Hampshire.

Any donations to the society can be made through www.findmeagrant.org/wberks/browse. aspx and search for Newbury & District Agricultural Society.