hertfordshire county show 2013 'snapshot' review
DESCRIPTION
Snapshot review of the 2013 Hertfordshire County Show 25th & 26th MayTRANSCRIPT
Supported by glorious weather over both Show days,
the 127th Hertfordshire County Show, with our ‘Back
to the Future’ theme, proved to be another
memorable and successful inclusive community
event attracting over 33,000 visitors to the Herts
County Showground.
One of the many and eclectic highlights in the
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Arena over the weekend
included the unique and ‘own’ Herts Farmers’
Fantastic Forktrucks led by ‘ringmaster’ Bill Barr on
both days. The Saturday visitors were enthralled by
the Devil’s Horsemen, Europe’s number one trick
riding team, and were followed on Sunday by the
spectacular Jason Smyth Aerial Motorbike Stunts. One
of the many new urban additions to the Show
included Titan the Robot, the crowd-pulling ‘8 foot of
steaming Robotic Loveliness’.
This year’s President, Stuart Wykes hosted a lunch
for 80 invited guests on Saturday and fully endorsed
the on-going Show ‘Proud to Promote Hertfordshire’
strategy. Stuart congratulated the Society on
maintaining a very proud 212 year agricultural
heritage and also finding the important ‘fine balance
of education and entertainment’ in attracting large
numbers of predominantly urban visitors to our
Agricultural Show.
The Show ‘kicked-off’ with our 10th and very popular
Food and Farming Debate on Friday evening, and
attracted over 350 attendees. As always, the Debate
generated a lively and stimulating evening of
discussion on Farming related issues, with the
customary opposing views voiced by both the selected
panelists and attendees. The excellent post-Debate
Hog Roast allowed more time for the opinionated
discussions to continue in small groups!
Our 7th Hertfordshire Primary Schools art ‘Futuristic
Technology’ themed competition, organised in
partnership with a very supportive Hertfordshire
County Council, again attracted a high number of
quality and creative entries from all regions of
Hertfordshire. The individual winners and schools are
detailed on Page 4.
The post-Show feedback has been extremely positive
and complimentary from visitors, our sponsors and
trade exhibitors regarding the on-going improvements
to both the Show education and entertainment
programme, together with the extended Showground
infrastructure. We are particularly delighted that yet
again our Family ticket sales hit a new record, a clear
signal that our unique package of ‘All-Inclusive
Entertainment’ is valued by our Show visitors. We will
be reviewing all aspects of the 2013 Show in the
coming weeks with a view to making further
improvements for next year. In the meantime we are
delighted that our widely acclaimed reputation as the
‘Best Value for Money’ and largest inclusive
community event in Hertfordshire has been further
enhanced.
Finally, we would like to again offer our grateful
thanks to the Strutt & Parker Team in St Albans for
kindly increasing their valued Show sponsorship to
fund this 2013 ‘Snapshot’ Review for distribution to
our regular supporters.
A 'SNAPSHOT' REVIEW OF THE 2013 SHOW
Sunshine and Smiles!
Looking very relaxed in the sunshine, our President Stuart Wykes and Chairman Noel Grant at the close of the Show on Sunday evening
•••••PRE-SHOW•••••
Jill combines a quick ‘nap’ with her lunch break!
Friday Lunchtime: The Herts Air Ambulance‘arrives’ for the Show
Chief Steward Stuart Roberts presents the annual Henry Barker award to Kevin White and the Trade Stand Team
Stuart & Mandy Wykes
A thorn between 2 roses: Nikki Lawrence,Mike Harman and Charlotte Lawrence
Maggie, Roger and Jo Smith
Jill Coggins, Simon Pearce, Terry Mitchinson, Nancy & Stewart Hunterand Richard Young
Suzie & Richard Walduck, Pat Grant, Stuart &Mandy Wykes and Noel Grant
Richard Skeates, Lucie Stone, Edward Briggs andPeter Faulkner
Steve & Janet McCurdy, Emma Beale, Maria Ball,Andrew Beale and Carole Haldane
Dave & Liz Arnold
Toby Lambert & Lucie Stone
Maxine & Warwick Crawley with Jo Smith
• PRESS COMMENTS • PRESS COMMENTS • PRESS COMMENTS • PRESS COMMENTS • PRESS COMMENTS • PRESS COMMENTS • PRESS COMMENTS •
Early April: Gemma ‘thanks’ LafargeTarmac for their Show Jumping Ring sandsponsorship
Wednesday before the Show – Nearly ready for the Trade Exhibitors and our Visitors!
Grateful thanks to retiring Debate Steward Ian Pigott
Friday morning: Holding down a Marquee in the ‘Wind and Rain’
County’s best goes onshowWelwyn Hatfield Times
Thousands flock to seeCounty ShowSt Albans andHarpenden Review
Record Breaking CountyShowHertfordshire Life
Locals take Herts bystormChiltern and ThamesRider Magazine
Sun shines on crowds atCounty ShowHemel HempsteadGazette
A County showing offHerts Advertiser
The Show organisers...efforts were greatlyappreciated by theridersHorse and Hound
Food & Farming Debate Chairman Richard Percyand the panelists
Early Saturday morning: President’s briefing meeting
•••••PRESIDENT’S LUNCH•••••Kindly sponsored by
John Wood (Chief Executive of Hertfordshire County Council), RichardH Smith (Chairman of Hertfordshire County Council) and PatronRichard Walduck
••2013 SHOW HIGHLIGHTS••
““
2013 POST SHOW COMMENTS
People have said that the good weather made theshow a success, and yes it was a joy on both days.However, you still need the enthusiasm of thevolunteers to ‘put the show on the road’. Thisenthusiasm was much in evidence… pass on ourthanks to all concerned for putting on such a goodshow.Ginny Roberts, Past President
I am writing to express appreciation for theassistance provided by yourself and your team toHertfordshire County Council in our planning for theHerts County Show.John Wood CE HCC
Beautiful sunny weather was the winning formula forHerts County show this year …..you cannot beat theatmosphere of a quintessentially British County Showon a warm summer’s day.Sue Mitchell, editor of CTR Magazine
The show was very well organised and all themarshals and officials were helpful and happy. I thinkthe sunshine you ‘organised’ helped! Thank you foreverything and hope to be back next year.Horse Showing competitor
I am pleased to say that the show was so muchmore than I had expected and will definitely beattending in future years. It was full of wonderfulactivities and both my daughter and I found iteducational as well as great fun. We enjoyedwatching the animal parades and displays, the circus,spinning wool into thread, as well as buying lots oflovely pieces from the stalls.Visitor
Lovely show, thoroughly enjoyed myself.Horse showing judge
… a most enjoyable day at Herts County. As everefficient stewards, exceedingly generous hospitality,some well filled classes of good sheep…..Alan and Carole Muddiman, Sheep judge
We are very happy to be involved with the Herts Showwhich seems to go from strength to strength. Longmay it continue!Trinity Foot & South Herts Beagles
Just a quick email to say thank you for a wonderfulshow! We had a brilliant weekend, with superbweather!! Please thank the stewards for doing abrilliant job looking after everyone!Sheep Exhibitor
It was simply fantastic! Henry and I attended on theSaturday, had a good walk around, were veryimpressed with the layout, flow of pedestrian traffic,the extra hardcore alongside the tarmac paths andthought the family area was great fun. Martha Cobold, Knebworth House
….. I just wanted to thank you and your team for allof your hard work that went into putting on asuccessful show. Please pass on my thanks to thecattle stewards who did a great job, as it all wentsmoothly from our end. Cattle Competitor
My wife and I have been attending the Herts Showsince 1975, often as competitors.Congratulations on this year’s effort including theweather! We were particularly impressed by yoursupport staff especially those concerned with carparking arrangements.Visitor
… thoroughly enjoyed the show this year. Lots of newthings and the Showground looked very goodPast Secretary
Thank you for your invitation to judge sheep at thisyear's show. My wife and I had a thoroughly enjoyableday. Please convey my appreciation to all involved instaging such a great event. Sheep Judge
Trade Exhibitor Comments
I have been attending the Show for several years andthought that this year our marquee looked its bestyet, and our staff got the opportunity to talk to largenumbers of residents in a relaxed and informalenvironment about our services, so it is a veryworthwhile event for us.Chief Executive and Director – Environment. Herts County Council
….. just a quick note to say thank you for organisingyet another great show last week. We will definitelybe back again next year! Please pass on our thanksto all the team.The Waggy Tails Store
We are extremely pleased to announce that we had avery successful show once again this year and lookforward to returning in 2014. Thank you for all yourassistance; please do also pass on our thanks toeveryone involved.The Event Gallery
Just wanted to say a huge thank you and well doneto you and your team..... It was as ever a fantasticevent.Small Prints
A large number of quality Private Drive vehiclescompeted on Sunday
Rehearsals for the Nativity play starts early!
The colourful Imps Motorcycle Display TeamAnne Lambert with her Rusper Southdown Sheep
Mountain & Moorland In-Hand Champion
Noel and Pat Grant present the Martin Grant HomesShield to Area Trial winner Tracy Priest
Kevin White congratulates Howard Roberts on hisCorn Millers Display
The Hertfordshire YFC wins the best Agricultural TradeStand trophy
David Sapsed of Hitchin wins the SupremeInterbreed Beef Champion prize
••2013 SHOW WINNERS••Grove Farm Meats of Great Gaddesden displaytheir excellent produce
Buckinghamshire based Irish International rider TrevorBreen in full flight
The Roberts family admire the commemorative Henry FBarker Bench
Congratulations to Alan Herod of Stanstead Buryreceiving his 25 years Long Service award
CATTLETHE HERTS AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY CHALLENGE CUP Champion Open Inter Breed Calves Dairy Mr & Mrs BA Daw HertfordTHE KIMPTON YFC YOUNG HANDLER CUP Champion Dairy Senior Young Handler Clare Daw HertfordTHE HARPENDEN AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION SILVER CHALLENGE CUP Champion Limousin Mr DA Sapsed Nr HitchinTHE HAGUE CHALLENGE BOWL Highest Hertfordshire Points Winner Mr DA Sapsed Nr HitchinTHE LETCHWORTH BACON COMPANY CHALLENGE CUP Champion Simmental Mr DA Sapsed Nr HitchinTHE PRESTON YFC YOUNG HANDLER CUP Champion Beef Young Handler Beef Cattle RVC Farm Animal Clinical Club Potters Bar
HORSE & SHOW JUMPINGTHE ALDENHAM HARRIERS SUPPORTERS CLUB TROPHY Best Exhibit Aldenham Harriers Hunt Country Miss LJ Hodges St Albans
THE GAME FLAIRE TROPHY Best Filly In Hand Sports Horse Herts Owned Miss A & J Smith Stevenage
THE LYELL CHALLENGE CUP Best Filly In Hand Sports Horse Miss A & J Smith StevenageTHE LUCAS-BLOCK CHALLENGE CUP Champion In Hand Sports Horse Miss A & J Smith StevenageTHE HILLSBOROUGH CUP Champion Scurry Driving Miss EF Eldridge Harpenden
TRADETHE MARLBORO' MOTORS TROPHY Winner - Main Trade Stand Competition Herts Air Ambulance Buntingford
THE MANN EGERTON CHALLENGE CUP Best Agricultural Trade Stand Hertfordshire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs Ware
PRIZE CARD AWARD Best Shopping Marquee Stand Love and Lilly StevenagePRIZE CARD AWARD Best Made In Hertfordshire Stand Small and Sweet Luton
2013 HERTFORDSHIRE TROPHY & AWARD WINNERSFor a full listing of all the 2013 Results please go to www.hertsshow.com and click on 'Results' on the Signpost
Titan the Robot – A potential Show Steward forthe future?
In my first report as Chairman of the Hertfordshire Agricultural Society,
I am pleased to report that 2013 was the year of the first double sunny
day weekend for several years and the visitor attendance figures at the
Hertfordshire County Show annual show were up substantially as a
result.
In spite of recessionary pressures in almost every walk of life, the
Hertfordshire County Show gave the people of the County great value
for money, and in particular where families are concerned a very
affordable day out. The children’s free rides and the free circus are a
huge advantage for a family day out, making it great value. The Show
brings to the age of technology a sense of history and culture giving
young people particularly an experience of how things were done in
the early part of the century, and how farming has evolved in the post
war years. To many city dwellers the Show is the first time they encounter farm animals and agricultural
machinery. It is therefore an important part of their education.
The Society has good reason to be proud of the many volunteers who give their time and much appreciated
effort to the running of the Hertfordshire County Show, as without them it would not be possible to organise
the considerable two day event. It is a great pleasure to see how the agricultural aspects of the show draw
people from all areas of the community and it is a very important event in the Hertfordshire social diary.
With this valuable support and progressive reputation, we can all look forward positively to next year’s
128th Hertfordshire County Show with both pride and confidence.
Noel GrantChairman of the Hertfordshire Agricultural Society
Published by The Hertfordshire Agricultural Society - Organiser of the Hertfordshire County Show The Showground, Dunstable Road, Redbourn, Herts AL3 7PT
Tel: 01582 792626 • Email: [email protected]: www.hertsshow.com
CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
2013 HERTFORDSHIRE PRIMARY SCHOOLSART COMPETITION
THEME: FUTURISTIC TECHNOLOGY
DONORSEAST OF ENGLAND WINTER STOCK FESTIVAL HNS EQUINEKATIES CONFECTIONS J J BURGESS & SONSMIDLANDS AND EAST ANGLIA HEREFORD BREEDERS MR SWEETIE & COMRS JUNE WALTERSMRS M J PUGHOAKLEIGH FARM LIVERY YARDTRUSSELL'S BUTCHERS
WINNERS:
3 to 6 years: William IvaraSt Johns VA C of E PrimarySchoolLemsford Village
7 to 9 years: Natasha FambisaiWindermere Primary SchoolSt. Albans
10 to 11 years: Daisy Johnston-BarrettKings Langley Primary School Kings Langley
GOLD SPONSORSA T OLIVER & SONS LIMITED
ABP
ARCHANT HERTS & CAMBS
BIDWELLS
BRUCE SHERRIFF
GATES GROUP
JE BUCKLE (ENGINEERS) LTD
LAFARGE AGGREGATES LTD
MAJESTIC TREES
MARTIN GRANT HOMES LTD
MCMULLEN & SONS LIMITED
MR RICHARD WALDUCK, OBE, DL
MRS MARGOT GARDENER
NATIONAL FARMERS UNION
QUANTUM CARE LTD
STRUTT & PARKER LLP
SILVER SPONSORSANTHONY MOSLEY PHOTOGRAPHER
AVIATION TURBINE SERVICES LIMITED
BARCLAYS BUSINESS BANKING
BEALES HOTELS LTD
BLAINS TRAILERS & TYRES LTD
GL EVENTS SNOWDENS MARQUEES
GRANITE 5 LTD
HERTFORDSHIRE LIFE
JOHN ANDERSON HIRE
KINGSMEAD MARQUEES (SOUTHERN) LTD
METALWOOD FENCING (CONTRACTS)LTD
NORTH HERTS FARMERS COMPANY
NSR COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED
PROCAM AGRICULTURE
ROSETTES DIRECT
T ROBERTS & SON
TITMUSS GRAIN LTD
WILKINS KENNEDY
WILLOWS FARM VILLAGE
SPONSORS
STEWARDS DINNER BRADSONS
BUXTON & HIGH PEAKS SECURITYSERVICES
CLEARAWAY DRAINAGE SERVICES
FIRE PROTECTION COMPANY
GL EVENTS SNOWDENS MARQUEES
GRANDSTANDSONTHEMOVE
HERTS AND BEDS PRINTING
IMPERIAL LONDON HOTELS LTD
M MILES SCAFFOLDING
NEVILLE SYMONDS ASSOCIATES LTD
NSR COMMUNICATIONS LTD
PLYVINE CATERING LIMITED
P W HIRE
ROY PINNOCK & CO
SEVERN VALLEY CATERING
SIGNED BY ME
TARRAGON
THORNS GROUP
Chairman Noel Grant with President Stuart Wykes, Richard H Smith (Chairman of Hertfordshire County Council) and our Patron Richard Walduck admire anddisplay the winning Art Competition entries.