Kentish Express Ashford & District
Record numbers enjoy a taste of country life
acole@thekmgroup.co.uk Scorching temperatures brought thousands flocking to Kent’s biggest agricultural extravaganza.
Undeterred by the showers that washed out last year’s Kent County Show, faithful visitors headed to Detling Showground in record numbers.
The three day event, held from Friday to Sunday, attracted 75,000 people – more than 20,000 higher than last year.
Organisers, the Kent County Agricultural Society, were delighted with the numbers which included an all- time record for online advance sales, and record numbers through the gates on the first day.
Chairman Kevin Attwood said: “The Kent Showground team work extremely hard all year and whilst we planned for inclement weather the sunshine has been a welcome change.”
With more than 400 stands, one of the highlights included some unusual four-legged stars taking to the arena – Joseph’s Amazing Camels.
More traditional four-legged competitors took part in qualifying events for the Horse of the Year Show, to be held at the NEC in Birmingham in October, with Robbie the labrador takes a giant leap in a pool past Megan Sellers on the Splash n’ Grab dog race entries judged by horse training legend Jenny Pitman.
New this year was the canine area, where there was even a dog creche.
Traditional favourites, including viewing the well-groomed sheep and cattle; sheep shear- ing; bees and other rural pastimes stood alongside the hundreds of trade stands and ice cream sellers to keep visitors of all ages busy, with a Spitfire and Hurricane flying overhead in the cloudless skies.
There was also a visit from the Minister for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Owen Paterson MP, who spent the day mingling with farmers showing their livestock and produce and hearing about any issues they have with the agricultural industry.