Families and friends can enjoy an impressive three-day agriculture, country and entertainment programme, with new and exciting displays and attractions at the largest countryside show in the region, the South of England Show on 7, 8 & 9 June 2018 at the South of England Showground in Ardingly.
This annual flagship Show of the South of England Agricultural Society, a charity that funds and supports agricultural education and countryside learning, brings town and country together so that visitors can enjoy a close up of the very best in British agriculture, horticulture, forestry, equestrianism, rural crafts and skills combined with superb family entertainment and shopping.
This year’s unmissable main ring attraction is the famous and renowned Atkinson Action Horses. Best known for their appearances in television series Poldark, Peaky Blinders and Victoria, the Atkinson Action team will be an exciting new addition to this year’s Show, with visitors able to meet both horses and riders in between performances taking place twice a day.
Other firm family favourites include the high-energy, micro-sized Shetland Pony Grand National; popular hound parades; world-class show jumping; impressive heavy horse turnouts and the amazing livestock display, with expert commentary showing the best of breed in beef and dairy cattle, sheep, pigs and goats.
Said Kelly Grant, Development Director of the South of England Agricultural Society, “There is so much to look forward to at this year’s show including a brand new Entertainment Zone featuring the eye-catching music stage sponsored by Long Man Brewery and designed by award-winning contemporary designer, Morag Myerscough which forms part of her ‘Belonging’ tour of Sussex and co-commissioned by the Brighton Festival and Ditchling Museum of Art & Craft.
“Young fans of Tv’s PAW Patrol will also have the chance to meet characters, Chase and Marshall on the Saturday of the show and the Entertainment Zone will also feature a double decker bus, funfair, simulator, face-painting, blacksmithing demonstrations, Laser Qube experience and a fabulous food court.”
The entire 150-acre showground will be alive with hundreds of competitions and entertainment for all ages, arranged into ten zones that will take you on an unforgettable journey of; Food & Drink, Livestock, Discover the Countryside, Agricultural Machinery, Garden, Plants & Flowers, Women’s Institute, Bees & Honey, Equestrian (including Heavy Horse Village), Skills & Craftsmanship, Country Sports & Hound Show, Market Place and over 500 retail stands with thousands of products, many unavailable on the internet.
The Society aims to raise awareness and funds at its shows to continue to support the next generation and this is demonstrated by hundreds of students from schools and colleges from across the region who will be involved in competitions, exhibits and interactive demonstrations from a new tractor challenge to the prestigious Young Craftsman of the Year exhibition.
The NFU Food and Farmyard exhibit takes the theme ‘Healthy soils, healthy food’ where visitors can learn how soil is a farmer’s greatest asset and then discover the wonderful world of earthworms. There will be daily cookery demonstrations, bakery and corn milling and the NFU’s Discovery Barn, will offer an educational roadshow for youngsters.
The enduring appeal of the South of England show, gives new and returning visitors a unique experience of agriculture, horticulture and the British countryside as well as great family entertainment, music, crafts, shopping galore and one of the most impressive food halls in the South East featuring many delicious local and regional foods.
People of all ages can take full advantage of the ticket prices again this year with under 16s going FREE(accompanied by a paying adult £21); senior citizens and students over 16 £19. There is also FREE parking and a regular bus shuttle service from Haywards Heath train station to the showground. Buy online at www.seas.org.ukand save 15% off the gate entry price; offer ends midnight 6 June.
