Thousands set to attend Burwarton Show
The final touches are being put to a rural showground that will see thousands of visitors pour through the gates tomorrow.
The 125th Burwarton Show kicks off at 8.15am tomorrow, and as usual is expected to be one of the region's biggest agricultural events, with a bumper programme of attractions.
Vice chairwoman Mary Williams, getting things ready on the showground at Cleobury North, near Burwarton, between Ludlow and Bridgnorth, said preparations were coming together well for what should be a good day.
"It all seems to be going quite smoothly," she said.
"The forecast is showery so we're hoping the weather stays nice – not too hot but not too wet, good show weather.
"We've purchased 1,600 new barriers for use throughout the show, which has saved a lot of work.
"We normally hire them and they wouldn't come until two days before.
"That has been our capital investment for this year.
"The trade stands are turning up and we have lots of volunteers on the site – on show day there will be about 300 volunteer stewards.
"It is a bit like a cult – there are people who make sure they come back every year.
"And we have been given a Queen's Award this year, which is a feather in our cap," she said.
Highlights for this year include main arena displays such as camel racing, courtesy of Joseph's Amazing Camels.
Mrs Williams said: "The camels should be entertaining. When they came a few years ago the committee were allowed to ride them so they got us up on them – but thankfully health and safety has now changed to put a stop to that!"
Also in the main arena will be the Diggerland Dancing Digger Stunt Team and other special features to be found around the showground include the Beez Neez honey bee display, Kenneth Hughes hands-on stone carving demonstrations and an 1889 traction engine raising funds for the County Air Ambulance.
But the main theme of the Burwarton Show continues to be the promotion of agriculture and conservation, with livestock classes for cattle, sheep, pigs and goats and an equine section with classes for horses and ponies.
The ever-popular shearing competition will commence at 10am and run throughout the day with classes for all ages.
Displays of flowers, vegetables, handicrafts and cookery will be in the WI home and handicraft marquee and a conservation area will show off a variety of crafts and demonstrations.
The show was awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Service 2016, considered to be the MBE for voluntary groups, earlier this year, and was presented with it on Sunday.
