127th Lincolnshire Show 2011
by Baron Halpenny, LincsMag Editor.
Date: 24 June 2011
The 127th Show took place at the Lincolnshire Showground, Grange de Lings on Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd June 2011.
This year the weather decided to be in a more mischievous mood with the Lincolnshire Show as it hit the area with heavy shower bursts (more often in the afternoons) followed afterwards by brief spells of sunshine.
Throughout the two days of the Lincolnshire Show, the clouds never dispersed and would constantly hang around with a foreboding threat of rain.
This however did nothing to dampen the mood and enjoyment, if though at times it did mean everyone had to find shelter from the rain, as estimates put the total visitor figures at around 68,000, which roughly matches last year’s record figures.
Butlins had a chalet on view and even when the clouds turned dark and ominous and it has to be said, when the Lincolnshire Show was hit by the frequent showers, the famous Butlins red coats still managed to lift people’s spirits and make them smile. Ah, Billy would be proud of them.
Ring, Ring
In the Countryside ring, the programme included old favourites the Police Dogs (demonstrating that it's not a wise thing to get on their bad side!), the Pakefield Ferrets with Simon Whitehead, pig racing, and being whisked back in time to witness medieval jousting with Knights of the Damned.
United Retrievers, who showed the different stages of training from gun dog puppy to adult gun dog were also in the Countryside ring and, if you love dogs, you could have nipped to the Main ring at 11.30 to see the Parade of Hounds, Sponsored by Brewin Dolphin.
Beautiful Animals Galore at the Lincolnshire Show
Almost eighteen hundred horses and ponies were on show throughout the two days in the equine ring, and local rider Malcolm Wright claimed his second win in the Express Eventing 2011 series, in a thrilling finish which went right to the final fence in the showjumping.
The best of the county’s livestock was on parade in the Clydesdale Bank Main Ring on both days of the Lincolnshire Show 2011. There were Champion Lincoln Red bulls, the best of the best in the dairy section and the award-winning shaggy haired Lincoln Longwools showed off their rosettes and sashes with proud handlers standing by their sides.
The livestock lines played host to more than 1800 entries of cattle, sheep, pigs and goats.
Lincolnshire Life
In the Lincolnshire Life tent, there was the fabulous and highly talented Cocktail Bar Swing, who are a cool jazz and swing band.
No, LincsMag is not affiliated to Lincolnshire Life, but we do respect Lincolnshire’s biggest selling county glossy magazine that has celebrated its fiftieth anniversary (1961-2011) and continues to go from strength to strength.
ABBA Daba Do BBC
Music was also very much a part of the BBC stand as the BBC’s chart-topping Strictly Come Dancing series rubbed shoulders with a fashion show of designs from Lincoln University students. Also on the stand were Abba Salute, the tribute band.
New Attractions
As well as the equine events and the agricultural machinery displays, new attractions for this year included horseback falconry, Express Eventing and the Scruffts crossbreed dog competition, which brought new interests to the Lincolnshire Show 2011. Organisers also reported livestock entries and trade stand bookings well up on last year’s Lincolnshire Show.
“Everyone has enjoyed the Show, despite the odd shower,” said show director Richard Collett, in his first year in the role. “Fortunately the land here drains quickly and easily so the rain doesn’t cause any real problem. Whatever the weather, there’s so much on offer with the hundreds of trade stands and shops, and exciting programmes in all the rings.”
Indeed, for the shopper, there were more than 600 stands to visit, including the boutique style shopping on The Mews avenue featuring everything from bespoke kitchens to handmade pearl bracelets. Of course to anyone appreciating the Lincolnshire produce, there were the food stalls only too happy to cater to everyone’s indulgence.
“We’re very happy overall, we had a very good crowd, excellent trade bookings and attendance looks to be in line with last year’s figure.” said chief executive Mark Farmer.
“Extending into the evening with activities such as concerts went well and we’ll definitely be looking to build on that next year. The new areas like the Kennel Club dog ring and the Express Eventing series qualifier both helped to boost interest and attract new visitors,” he added.
The 2012 Lincolnshire Show’s dates have already been set as Wednesday, June 20th and Thursday, June 21st.
Lincolnshire Ways
