Show turnout tops 80,000

More than 80,000 people attended this year’s Kent County Show, organisers have revealed.

Despite a serious accident which closed the M20 Londonbound on the first day, the threeday celebration of everything Kentish was a huge success.

Visitor numbers were lower than expected on the Friday but increased during the weekend.

The Kent County Agricultural Society ensured animal safety and welfare was key during three very warm days. That meant The Grand Parade of Livestock was cancelled on the first day and onsite vets worked hard to ensure that animals were kept cool.

Headlining the entertainment was The Shetland Pony Grand National which captivated the crowds in the main ring.

Livestock competition entries were up on 2017, particularly in the sheep area with the highest number of entries in a decade.

Cattle entries were the highest since 2012 with Folkestone-based J Warnock & Son win- ning Supreme Dairy Champion and Barwood & Padfield winning Supreme Beef Champion.

Lucy Hegarty, show manager, said: “The increased livestock entries, fantastic show weather, wonderful displays and demonstrations gave this year’s show a really vibrant atmosphere and we were also delighted to report, in spite of visitor numbers, no problems with the traffic flow and car parking.”

The dates for the 2018 show will be July 6-8.