The Princess Royal will visit this year’s South of England Show, celebrating British country life at the South of England Showground in Ardingly, on 5th June, it was announced on the official website of the British Monarchy this week [9th April].
Her Royal Highness will visit some of the highlights of the Show, which is this year celebrating horticulture, before she attends the AGM of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth, to be hosted at the Showground on the same day, in her role as President.
Said Michael Lambert, Chairman of the South of England Agricultural Society, who is also Secretary of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth, “We are very much looking forward to hosting Her Royal Highness at the South of England Show, which will showcase the best of British agriculture, equestrianism, food and drink and rural crafts and skills.
“Horticulture is a central feature of this year’s show and we hope that she will enjoy some spectacular displays from the region’s specialists and schools, as well as seeing some of the superb equestrian events that we hold here.”
The Princess Royal last visited the South of England Show when she was President of the South of England Agricultural Society in 2004.
With fun for all the family, highlights at the Show this year include the micro-sized Shetland Pony Grand National, heavy horse turnouts, show jumping, Fur & Feather displays with dozens of breeds of chickens and rabbits and the famous livestock display where hundreds of animals have their moment of glory.
Last year children and parents enjoyed mingling with the hounds and huntsmen during the cavalcade of hounds in the Ardingly Ring; and for the three days of the show, the 150-acre showground comes alive with hundreds of competitions, from best cattle, sheep, pig and goat breeds, to countryside skills, including the Young Craftsman of the Year and the farriers’ horse shoeing competitions.
World class showjumping and equestrian events also feature throughout the show, as well as entertainment and music, shopping galore and for foodies there is one of the most impressive food halls in the South East.
FREE entry for children under 6 yrs. FREE parking and a regular bus shuttle service from Haywards Heath train station to the showground.
For further information and for advance ticket discounts visit www.seas.org.uk
or telephone 01444 892700
You can also follow us on Facebook: ‘SouthofEnglandShowground’, Twitter @ sofeshowground and read the Blog at SouthofEnglandShowground
SOUTH OF ENGLAND SHOW
South of England Centre, Ardingly, West Sussex.
(Near Haywards Heath. Junction 10 off M23)
Open: 9am daily. Close: 6.30pm daily.