Record crowds flock to special Jubilee show
More than 60,000 visitors pass through gates of county’s agricultural event
STAFFORDSHIRE County Show’s organisers are celebrating following an incredible two days, with attendances topping 60,000 – exceeding last year’s numbers.
The public flocked to the show in their masses with huge crowds surrounding the arena to watch Big Pete and the Grim Reaper Monster Truck Display, thrilling the audience, with every seat in the grandstand occupied.
Once again, the sun shone on the 100-acre site, and the atmosphere was simply electric with many trade stands entering into the Jubilee spirit adorning their stands with flags and bunting.
Fancy dress parades and the Jubilee parade were a lovely tribute to The Queen. The livestock entries were up on previous years and the Grand Parade was a real testimony to British Agriculture with the finest champion animals paraded for all to see.
Some visitors did experience delays when travelling to the show as there were three separate road traffic accidents on roads around Stafford that resulted in a large volume of non-show traffic being diverted on to the A518 (the road serving the County Show).
The organisers said: “Whilst we appreciate the annoyance and frustration, the delays caused to our visitors the cause of the delay was outside our control.”
Richard Williams, chief executive of the Staffordshire and Birmingham
Agricultural Society, thanked all those involved in putting on a spectacular two days and paid tribute to the tireless work of the hundreds of stewards involved.
Richard added: “We are delighted with how well the first day has gone and the Jubilee Parade was a fitting tribute for our Covid Heroes.
“There has been a constant flow of people coming in through the gates.
“We’ve been so lucky with the weather and we’re delighted to see so many people here enjoying the Show and the forecast for the second day is even better.”
Terry Mancey from Red Poll Cattle in Staffordshire Moorlands has been going to the show for 21 years.
He said: “It’s nice to see people around again. I bumped into somebody that I haven’t seen for three years and they don’t even live far away.
“It’s nice to see people and feel a little normal and even better if the sun stays with us. I’ve been showing for 22 years and my wife Helen has been coming here since she was little as she’s from five generations of farming.”
Helen Mancey from New Hall Flock in Staffordshire Moorlands was showing her Hebridean sheep, two of which were placed first and third out of thirteen. She said: “I’ve been coming here since I was a little girl, and have been showing sheep for about 10 years.
“I have 60 odd in my flock all of that breed, they’re very interesting and beautiful to look at in the field.
“I have a soft spot for them, they were a rare breed but they’re getting more popular. My dad kept rare breeds, I’m a fifth-generation farmer so it’s underneath the fingernails destined to be.
“I’ve shown both rams in full fleece although everyone else was shorn but where we come from it’s a little early.
“They both have lovely fleeces, they’re good for that and meat. Hogget is year-old meat and they’re particularly known for that, it’s really flavoursome.”
Laura Melland from Morridge Blue Texel in Leek said: “I’ve been coming to the show for 20 years, both showing animals and sometimes with a trade stand. We always enjoy it, it’s a good turnout.
“I’ve got a flock of around 50 Blue Texel sheep and have brought seven with me. I’m competing five times with something in most classes.
“It’s almost our local show and we enjoy it and have got a lot of friends that come here. It’s nice just to catch up after all the lockdowns, it’s got a great social side to it.”
Deborah Hodgkinson from Staffordshire Savory Eggs in Endon said: “I first made scotch eggs with my grandmother and have had the business for 22 years, I’ve been coming to the show for at least 15.
“We bake them now and have about 32 different kinds - two vegetarian, one vegan, one duck eggs, most hen and two cream cheese versions.
“We tend to sell out of some while here and and we have brought around 300 with us. The black pudding and caramalised onion chutney ones are always popular.
“It’s one of the biggest events we do and it’s local for me plus I always love to see the animals. There’s so much to see here with all the events, I love the poultry and country pursuits.
“I also have regular customers here and it’s nice to see them, even if it’s once a year.”
Next year’s show will be held on May 31 and June 1, again in the half term week, with the Bolddog Lings Motorcycle stunt display team performing in the main ring.
The Show’s major sponsor will once again be Rea Valley Tractors and the Society is incredibly grateful for their input and continued support.