The scene is set for a bumper Royal County of Berkshire Show over the coming weekend (15 – 16 September) with enthusiasm running high in all departments and organisers taking heart from a good preliminary weather forecast. “The weather is obviously a key factor that can affect attendance potential”, says show chairman, Ian Nutt. “But certainly the run-in to the weekend is looking good and all the infrastructure is in place. Where we certainly can be confident is in the sheer quality of the entertainment this year's show will offer and in providing fun to the whole family and to people of all ages.” He added: "Everyone knows the Berkshire Show is great if you love farming and animals, but this year we are really strong in terms of active, hands-on entertainment for young people in particular. On top of that, we have an amazing shopping opportunity covering everything from quality gifts to crafts and unusual foods. It has to be Berkshire's biggest and best family event of the year."
Highlights will include Britain’s favourite wartime aircraft, the heroic Spitfire, soaring in to perform a Jubilee year salute. While the Spitfire performs in the skies above, there will also be some spectacular aerobatics on the ground as a BMX stunt team demonstrates that bikes too can fly when in skilled hands. The riders will also give local youngsters an opportunity to develop their own skills with training sessions. The livestock turnout is particularly strong, with an opportunity for families to see a host of rare breeds amongst the ever popular cattle, sheep and poultry.
With the Berkshire show selected as the venue for its national finals this year, no cattle breed will be more impressive than the mighty Aberdeen Angus. For the less seriously minded, there will be an opportunity to see sheep dance! The hilarious antics of the trained woolly jumpers will be the highlight of an on-stage display that includes a New Zealand-style shearing demonstration.
Special guests Clare Balding and John Craven will make an appearance at the show on the Sunday. Members of the public will be able to meet John – best known for presenting BBC’s Countryfile - when he signs copies of his Countryfile Handbook at the Showground. TV presenter, Clare, will be leading aspiring young Olympians on a parade of the main ring with the Olympic Torch. The local stars confirmed to be joining Clare include an 11-year-old Reading FC Academy player; a 10 year-old from Bramley in Hampshire, who is amongst the top 10 youth athletics champions in the country; and a wheelchair basketball star, aged 16, from Thatcham.
Also in this year’s line-up are:
While the box office at the showground is now closed, you can still buy your tickets online at www.berkshireshow.co.uk and print at home. In local outlets, advance ticket sales close at end of business on 14th September.
More information from www.berkshireshow.co.uk
