Young sheep handler Sam Dutton
The 2019 edition of the Moreton-in-Marsh show, which was its 70th anniversary, was held on 7th September on the fields of the Batsford Estate, which it has since 1949. It is the largest one-day agricultural show in the United Kingdom.
The Show again brought in huge queues, with numbers not known until later, but should be close to 25,000 or maybe more.
The show had a very wide range of livestock judging including cattle, pigs, sheep and goats along with a massive entry of horses for the many classes and types. There was also a companion dog show area.
The trade stands on offer had a range of local food, drink, crafts and clothing available in the multiple sections on the showground.
In the Grand Arena there were several classes of show and show jumping horses in the various weight classes and these were joined by the horse Team
Ladies Side saddle
Relay, Warwickshire Foxhounds, Ladies Side-saddle and Six Bar Challenge with multiple clear rounds over fences up to 1.6m high
Also, in the Grand Arena was the Broke FMX bike display team showing off their skills, including long jumps and arial tricks which thrilled the large audience!
The Members area (sponsored by Butler Sherborn and Daniel Colwell) was very busy during the event with lots of Gin & Tonic (Cotswold Distillery) and beer being drunk to complement the food on offer in the members café. With the members list now full the show is looking to expand its members area for 2020.
At the end of the afternoon The Grand Arena had the Livestock parade with the winners in the various categories of cattle and sheep on parade. The overall Show Supreme Livestock champion Sophie Harvey (G&A Harvey) was presented with the Dulverton bowl for her Hereford cattle. Three young handlers were also presented with their awards for Young Handler-cattle (14 year old Ryan Shaw), Young Handler-sheep (15 year old Eleanor Barlow) and reserve young cattle Handler Grace Denning.
The Supreme Champion Sheep – Rose Bostock (18) was presented her trophy by Dan Jackson, dan Colwell and Kendrick Homes and Reserve champion. Paul Dawes was also presented with the Three Shire Trophy covering Hanbury, Burwarton & Moreton shows as well as reserve Cattle Champion.
Being an agricultural show there was a large range of agricultural equipment on display along with sturdy 4×4 vehicles.
The Craft, Food and Drink stalls were extremely busy with visitors sampling the wares before taking up the show offers. This included several drink stalls including Hook Norton Brewery & Hogan’s
Hook Norton's Giles Minkley & Mark Graham on their stand
Cider and many different foods with the sausage roll & pies doing a roaring trade on a busy day. There were also several demonstrations taking place during the day, in the Warner’s Budgens food demonstration area including cheese and wine taking with Hook Norton Brewery and Fowlers Cheesemakers, a cooking demonstration from the Sarah Dugdale and a meet the producer – Goff’s Brewery, Winchcombe.
The Home and Garden tent was busy first thing with the judges reviewing the vegetables, flowers, jams, preserves and children’s decorations, before the doors were opened to the show crowds to view the winners.
In the Attraction ring (next to the vintage tractor display) was a wide selection of activities put on for the visitors including the Clumber spaniel display, Terrier Racing, Welsh Axemen, Ye Olde Tail Falconry and a vintage tractor parade.
In the Family Fun Area, the Arla Dance Company, Story Teller (Woof of the Woo), Magic Peter and Aziza Belly Dancers were performing along with Tractor Ted, bouncy castle and climbing wall activities taking place all day for the children.
All in all, this was an excellent show which managed to be on a dry and partially sunny day with large crowds of visitors and competitors in the many classes on show.
Now the organising team, after a welcome break will be looking forward to planning the 2020 show.
