Show packs them in...
JUST weeks after the last lockdown was lifted, and despite a dreadful forecast and a fraught scramble to bring together a massive event in less than eight weeks, Ashbourne Show has seen one of its biggest attendances.
More than 11,000 were at Osmaston Polo Ground in a united show of strength, solidarity, support and celebration as the 129th show went ahead as planned.
Despite a green light only being given for the event just over a month ago, the Ashbourne Shire Horse Society are this week looking back on what will go down as one of its most memorable shows. One that could have been a disaster turned out to be a phenomenon.
Light rain gathered pace during the afternoon but the crowds kept coming, and show-goers were treated to a meticulously organised layout, with a few subtle tweaks to allow more social distance and visitor safety.
For many people the show felt barely any different to the last one in 2019, barring the mud. Almost all the usual attractions, competitions, stands and exhibitors were present and organisers say feedback from traders has been positive.
The strong attendance was not only a pleasant surprise to everyone but also a huge relief to the Shire Horse Society, which had only been able to commit to a show that normally takes a year to organise less than two months ago.
Treasurer William Stevenson said: “It’s a huge relief. The pressure to get it all organised, and all the things that could go wrong, because it was being left until last minute, the reality was that it’s probably one of the shows that has gone off on the day with the least amount of hitches.
“It’s testament to the volunteers behind the scenes - the secretaries, the volunteers who are manning the gate and the fields, I can’t name them all, there are too many, but I’ve got to say thank you to them because they are integral to making it a succeess and to making it a relaxed day.
“I think it says a lot about the support the show gets from the public. The number of people that had said to me ‘we’re so glad you’re going ahead with the show, and it’s good to see you back.’
“That feeling was already running in May, and that’s why we made the commitment that, come what may, we would run something, we were not going to be absent for a second year.
“Even if it had been restricted, or behind closed doors, the community, whether it be the farming sorts, or the local visitors, needed something, just to demonstrate we’re here and as an organisation we want to be here for you so you can have a good time.
“Because let’s face it, all the competitors, all the exhibitors, the farming community, they’ve been working throughout the pandemic, without the opportunity to show off what they’ve been doing.
“And I think that’s been really needed.”