The Royal County of Berkshire Show 2008
DAY TWO
Enthusiastic crowds packed the Vodafone Main Arena to watch the final
of the Renault Show Jumping Series, one of the highlights
of an enthralling day two at The Royal County of Berkshire
Show 2008.
There was standing room only as the cream of British show
jumping lined up to contest the grand finale of the series
which has seen qualifiers at county shows throughout the
country this season.
Tension was high as the competition went to the wire,
Laura Renwick, second to last to go in the final round
with Limelight de Breve, cutting all the corners to sail
home, leaving Geoff Luckett, who had been in the lead
until the last, no choice but to follow suit. His round
looked good until the last when the last combination fell
sending Geoff back into seventh place and giving Laura,
the perfect end to a brilliant season - in the shape of
the top prize a Renault 4WD Koreos.
Thousands of people headed to the Newbury Showground to
soak up the sun on the second day of the show enjoying
a fantastic range of family fun. New innovations including
the Sports Zone and the Elegant Wedding Marquee, were
a big hit but the return of livestock to the event, stole
the show with huge applause greeting the grand parade
of champion cattle in the main arena.
Trade stands reported good business with shoppers shrugging
off the credit crunch. One stallholder, Jimmy's Farm,
from Suffolk reported a sell out - having sold 80 per
cent of stock on the first day of the show alone.
There was not a dry eye in the house as The Musical Ride
of the Household Cavalry concluded leaving the stage set
for a dramatic mass ascent of hot air balloons the signature
climax to a brilliant and memorable Royal County of Berkshire
show 2008.
DAY ONE
An
air of excitement heralded the first day of The Royal County
of Berkshire Show 2008 as crowds welcomed the return of
livestock at the show for the first time in two years.
Arenas
were packed in the Livestock Area as cattle, sheep, goats
and pigs stepped out before the judges at the last major
outdoor county show of the season.
Thousands
of spectators attended the opening day of the show, basking
in the Indian Summer Sunshine and soaking up the party atmosphere.
As
well as the colourful sights and sounds of the livestock
arenas, highlights on the first day included a superb afternoon's
show jumping action in the Vodafone Main Arena, where the
Wendy Green Six Bar Competition topped the bill, following
the showpiece main attraction display of the ever popular
Musical Ride of the Household Cavalry, back at Newbury for
the first time in a decade.
Stalls
were piled high in the Food Fare which offered a real flavour
of the countryside with producers enjoying the rising interest
in local food from farm to table.
Business
was brisk on the tradestand avenues with more than 500 stores,
great and small to browse among.
Local
food suppliers had reason to celebrate - winning a host
of awards from the judges. Susie's Preserves from nearby
Hermitage carried the honours taking the Silver Challenge
Cup and earning the accolade of Best Exhibit.
You
can enjoy more action on the second day of the show tomorrow
(21 September 2008) with a packed programme including the
final of the Renault Show Jumping League, The Musical Ride
of the Household Cavalry, grand parade of livestock, music
from the British Legion Romford Youth Band and the dramatic
hot air balloon ascent.
The
show opens at 8am and closes at 6pm and you can buy tickets
on the gate.
2007
STRONG
SUPPORT FOR RURAL COMMUNITY AT THE ROYAL COUNTY OF BERKSHIRE
SHOW
The
Royal County of Berkshire Show (15-16 September) ended with
a fanfare closing ceremony by the Band of the Welsh Guards
setting the seal on a weekend in celebration of the region's
farming and rural communities. A breathtaking mass balloon
ascent from Newbury Showground had marked the opening of
the 2007 show.
Support
for the show remained high over the two days despite the
enforced absence of more than 4,000 livestock exhibitors
and their animals due to the Foot and Mouth outbreak.
With
more than 100 agricultural and countryside stands and 180
classes for poultry exhibitors, the show still strongly
reflected its agricultural roots.
The
second day opened with a Harvest Festival Service held in
the main Vodafone Arena, the show chaplain, Rev John Townend,
asking for prayers to be said for the local farming community.
Visitors
and exhibitors basked in the late summer sunshine and revelled
in the spectacle offered at Newbury Showground throughout
the weekend.
Innovations
included the Countryside Pageant which highlighted different
aspects of rural life throughout the year. A new show garden
feature was judged by the Royal Horticultural Society boosting
interest in the talents of the area's gardeners and florists.
The
action in the main Vodafone Arena drew banks of spectators
with standing room only for the headline feature, the original
JCB dancing diggers. Crowds thronged to enjoy coaching parades,
heavy horse displays, scurry racing and show jumping.
The
finale of the 2007 Renault Jump League Table culminated
at Newbury attracting some of Britain 's leading show jumpers.
The top prize of a Renault Scenic car was won by William
Funnell who earned victory with Cortaflex Amber.
Chris
D'Olley, Chairman of the show said: "I was delighted with
our new features, the show gardens and the countryside pageant
in the main arena which was something I was very keen to
see developed."
The
Hon Mrs White, President of the show said: "The atmosphere
has been amazing. Of course it was sad not to see the livestock
here but we will look forward to welcoming them back next
year in even greater numbers."
Mike
Farmer, Showground Director said: "We are the shop window
for farming and the countryside and I think we achieved
that. The support of the public for the farming and rural
community was simply superb."
The
results from all the classes at the show will be on the
website at www.berkshireshow.co.uk
from noon on 17 September and the dates for the Royal
County of Berkshire Show 2008 will be 20 and 21 September.
Ends
Note
to editors: For further information and pictures please
contact Press Office at Momentum Marketing. 01753 847916
jo.peck@btinternet.com
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