Programme of events set to fill void left by show

DORSET County Show organisers have unveiled details of a series of events that will be hosted across Dorset in place of the main twoday county show this year.

A well-established fixture in the South West’s agricultural calendar, the Dorset County Show typically attracts over 60,000 visitors to the Dorchester Showground for its traditional end-ofsummer and harvest celebration, held at the start of September.

Cancelled in 2020 due to Covid-19, organisers have confirmed that the 2021 event will succumb to the same fate, with “uncertainties surrounding Covid19 restrictions” cited as the principal reason behind this decision.

Nicki Ralph, chair of the Dorset County Show, explained: “Planning for the 2021 show began in 2020 and we have now reached a critical stage for confirming various elements including contractors and suppliers.

“Although the Covid-19 vaccination programme is progressing well and the Government has announced its roadmap to recovery, we appreciate things may still be subject to change.

“The safety and welfare of everyone involved in the show remains our top priority and we will therefore be focusing our efforts on hosting a series of ‘alternative events’ for 2021 in place of our flagship show.”

Starting at the end of June, the programme of alternative events aims to promote Dorset’s renowned agricultural industry, as well as the county’s range of high-quality food and craft producers to the public.

With more details to be announced in due course, they include a Dorset Food & Craft Festival, dedicated horse show, sheep dog trials, agricultural machinery demonstration day, ploughing match with a range of classes and a winter livestock show for cattle and sheep.

Mr Ralph said: “Our new programme of events allows us to celebrate Dorset agriculture and local produce through a smaller scale format, to ensure health and safety standards are sufficiently managed. We look forward giving the public an opportunity to enjoy many elements they know and love from the Dorset County Show.

“Planning preparations for 2022 will also kick off towards the end of this year, so we’ll be working hard to bring back our main event in its fullest form next year.” All of the new events will be free to attend for all members of Dorchester Agricultural Society. For further details and to view the full programme of events, please visit the website www.dorsetcountyshow.co.uk