The Greatest Show?....
Once again the great British weather did its best to deter crowds from turning out in their thousands to The Royal County of Berkshire (AKA Newbury) Show. Not to be put off however, the stoic public poured in over the weekend, complete with all manner of waterproofs and wellies, to support what is undoubtedly one of the greatest county shows in the country.
Whilst I heard comments about the fact the arena displays were not as grand in previous years and there were a few exhibits missing, unquestionably the overall impact and scale of organisation has to be commended. Indeed there was even an impromptu display of the responsiveness of our emergency services on Saturday when a mobile refreshments stand caught fire!
So much is the pull and reputation of the TCB show that it never fails to amaze me, as to how far exhibitors travel to be there, in the hope of winning a prized rosette or best in class award. It is however a pity that the exhibits upon which this agricultural show were founded, the fabulous animals and produce, are always seemingly tucked into the far corners of the show, where footfall is lower, to make way for avenues crammed with long handled window washing brushes and other gadgets we don’t know that we need!
Therefore as always, my prize is awarded to the dedicated farmers and owners of horses and livestock, who put so much effort and care into their animals and manage to display farming at its best. Who couldn’t have been charmed by Strawberry the 7 day old calf and been impressed by the scale of breeds on show? Not just the Best of Newbury, this was the Best of British!
