Royal return for popular show
AFTER a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the return of one of the borough’s premier events is one of the headline acts of a bumper Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend.
Great Harwood Agricultural Society is thrilled to announce that its annual agricultural show is back next month.
Traditionally held on Spring Bank Holiday Monday, the organisers have moved the ninehour family event for this year only to Saturday, June 4 to accommodate the Jubilee celebrations.
Despite there being no cattle or poultry classes this year - due to bovine TB and avian flu - there will still be plenty to see at the event at The New Showfield on Harwood Lane, which always attracts many thousands of people from the borough and beyond.
Show spokeswoman Carol Armer said they are “thrilled” to be able to put on the historic event - running since the mid19th century, after the Covid-enforced cancellations of 2020 and 2021.
“It was very frustrating, but we are glad to be back,” she told the Observer.
“We have used the time in the last couple of years - we’ve not been doing nothing. We have done a lot of work on the Showground with the drainage
and roads redesign.
“We are a limited company now and working on the show all year round.
“We have opened it up as an events venue. We have got the car boot throughout the summer, which is every week. We had a wedding last weekend and a dog show. We’re open for anybody.”
This year’s event will feature classes for rabbits, dogs, pygmy goats, sheep, Shires and Shetlands, light horses, working hunter and show jumping.
There will be many allday displays and demonstrations including vintage and classic cars, birds
of prey, a motorcycle stunt show, heavy horses, mini spotted pony show, bonsai, dog agility, Accrington pipe band, and much more.
Free crafts, games, and races, donkey rides, fairground rides and bouncy castles are offered for the children, while all ages can participate in welly throwing and egg catching competitions.
There will be food from around the world, lots of local produce, public bars, specialist bars, live music, craft marquee and local trade and charity stands.
Carol added: “One of the favourites coming
back is the Australian sheep shearer; that’s always very popular.
“We also have the pet dog show where anybody can bring their own dogs.
“We try to put as much on as we can.”
Organisers are working with the police, local councils, Kays Traffic Management and emergency services on parking and logistics, and organisers say the car park, accessible from Church Lane, will be clearly signed from all directions.
“We do provide enough offroad parking. We can’t stop people parking on the roads, but we’ve got enough free parking for thousands of cars,” added Carol.
“There’s going to be a lot on that weekend around here. We are hoping that we we’ll get the numbers down - especially if the weather is good for us.
“The last [2019] show was the worst for weather we’ve ever had.”
Entry on the gate: Under 5 free, concessions (5-16 and over 65) £6, adult £10, family ticket (two adults and up to two children) £25, with £1 discount on all advance tickets.
For advance tickets and enquiries, email careith@ outlook.com