The South of England Agricultural Society will be one of the largest regional events celebrating the Queen’s official 90th birthday weekend on 9, 10 and 11 June 2016, in Ardingly, West Sussex.
The prestigious South of England Show takes place over three glorious days at the home of the South of England Agricultural Society, whose patron is Her Majesty the Queen.
The show will throw the spotlight on both the new and traditional, with stunning displays of the best of British agriculture, equestrianism, countryside learning, country crafts and sports; as well as great music, delicious food and drink and superb shopping.
Iain Nicol, CEO of the South of England Agricultural Society, said: “We have lots of new attractions this year, including ‘the Ardingly Eye’, a spectacular 32 metre high giant wheel, where visitors will get a unique bird’s eye view of the entire 150-acre showground, which will be alive with hundreds of competitions and entertainment for all ages.”
The society’s ‘Year of Sheep’ theme will be celebrated with sheep shearing displays; sheep herding demonstrations each day; a fleece competition; lamb cookery demonstrations; weaving and spinning and the many products that sheep’s wool is now used for; and sheep milk and cheese tasting.
There will be new entertainment in the main ring this year with the Royal Signals White Helmet motorcycle display team who will be performing their death-defying stunts every day of the show. Other highlights include the high-energy, micro-sized Shetland Pony Grand National; hound parades; and the famous livestock display where hundreds of beef and dairy cattle, sheep, pigs and goats have their moment of glory; as well as an exciting new Music Stage that will showcase a range of talented, up and coming performers from across the region.
Over 1,500 horses will take part in the equestrian showcase with world class show jumping, heavy horse turnouts, a magnificent display of carriages in the Heavy Horse Village, inter hunt relay and dozens of other classes, including official heats for the Horse of the Year Show.
Less than two weeks before the EU Referendum, The South of England Show will also be used as a neutral venue for farmers and people connected with land based industries to discuss the issues at debates being held by the NFU and CLA.
Last year over 70,000 visitors enjoyed entertainment, music, crafts, shopping galore and one of the most impressive food halls in the South East featuring many delicious local and regional foods.
Family and friends can take full advantage of the ticket prices again this year with under 16s going FREE (accompanied by a paying adult £20); senior citizens and students over 16 £18. There is also FREE parking and a regular bus shuttle service from Haywards Heath train station to the showground. Save 10% by booking online right up to the show and come any one day you choose www.seas.org.uk
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SOUTH OF ENGLAND SHOW
South of England Showground, Ardingly, West Sussex.
(Near Haywards Heath. Junction 10 off M23)
Open: 9am daily. Close: 6.30pm daily.
Notes to Editors:
The South of England Agricultural Society is a registered charity that was founded in 1967 from a consolidation of agricultural societies going back to the 1830’s. The Society operates from the South of England Showground, a 150-acre site situated just outside Ardingly village in the heart of the West Sussex countryside.
Working across the six counties of Berkshire, East Sussex, Hampshire & the Isle of Wight, Kent, Surrey and West Sussex, the Society’s aims are to showcase farming, agriculture and the countryside through annual shows and serve the community through the provision of education, grants, awards, bursaries and scholarships for people with an interest or involvement in Agriculture, Horticulture and Land based industries.
The Society’s flagship event is the South of England Show, which takes place in June each year. In 2016 the Society will be hosting the following events and initiatives:
Shows: Spring Garden & Leisure Show – 1 & 2 May (incorporating The Open Dog Show, The Alpaca Show); South of England Show – 9, 10 & 11 June (incorporating The Hackney Horse Show and The Hound Show); Autumn Show & Game Fair – 1 & 2 October; Winter Fair – 3 & 4 December.
Educational events & competitions: Connect with the Countryside; Jim Green Memorial; Young Craftsman of the Year Competition and The Student Assignment Competition.
Industry events and schemes: The South of England Farming Conference – 16 November and Farming and Estate Days.
Awards and bursaries: Award of Honour, travel bursaries, Nuffield Scholarships and grants to land-based colleges.
