Fun in the sun
Newark and Nottinghamshire Show organisers have made a £120,000 investment in preparation for this weekend’s big event, as the forecasters predict clear skies will bring fun in the sun.
The area’s most popular annual weekend attraction once again has something for everyone.
Making its debut this year is the Environment Village, at which companies will promote a greener cleaner world.
Among them will be Playtop, a subsidiary of the Newark-based Charles Lawrence Group that has won a Queen’s Enterprise Award for its safe play surfaces made from granulated vehicle tyres.
Mr Lawrence is this year’s show president.
Blue tongue restrictions have caused the cancellation of the National Alpaca Show, as most of the animals cannot be transported to Newark Showground.
Dairy and beef entries are down by 350, the numbers of pig and sheep entries are also marginally down, but there are 850 horses entered, as well as 150 heavy horses and 40 donkeys.
The chief executive of Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society, Mr Adrian Johnston, said: “One of the true strengths of the farming community is its resilience.”
There is also a new president’s garden.
At the pre-show dinner tonight, the key speaker will be the Conservative former agriculture minister, Mr John Gummer, who is also formally opening the Environment Village tomorrow.
This will provide a focus on issues including wind-powered energy, bio-fuels, composting and using jute or hemp bags instead of plastic ones.
Another exhibit will deal with flood protection.
The main ring will feature the Newark motorcycle stunt rider Colin Guppy.
There will be displays by dancing mechanical diggers and by heavy horses, and local hunt packs will return.
There will again be show- jumping throughout the two days, culminating in the showpiece Mattie Brown Stakes, for which 33 riders have so far entered.
They include Di Lampard, who has represented Great Britain in two World Equestrian Games and two European Championships.
Other highlights include miniature ponies, falconers and dog agility displays.
On the showground there will be classic cars, vintage tractors, steam engines and a threshing machine.
The Village Green will host a treasure hunt for the youngsters.
There will be a carousel and other children’s rides.
The military will be strongly in evidence again with a variety of training-type activities.
The number of displays in the Food Hall has increased since last year, and more rural crafts will be on show.