THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND SHOW WAS THE PLACE TO BEE - 10/06/2010

The region’s biggest and most important countryside event of the year proved a massive hit as tens of thousands of people (74,439) headed to the annual celebration of agriculture and rural life last week [10-12 June].
As the 2010 South of England Show got underway in unusual fashion on ‘Dress Up Thursday’, sponsored by Absolute Brighton, hats and heels were very much the order of the day. Women put on their finery for the occasion, which resembled Ladies’ Day at Ascot, and Lesley Jenks from Wivelsfield Green was judged to have the most flamboyant outfit. Gentlemen, too, joined in the fun with sartorial elegance to the fore. Christopher Horner from Uckfield walked away with the title of ‘best dressed man’.
The recently appointed agriculture minister James Paice made one of his first public engagements to join some of the region’s media for breakfast. He took the opportunity to reassure the audience that the new coalition Government would be putting farming back on the menu as a major part of the UK’s economic future.

In a positive message for farmers, the minister said his team’s remit was to drive forward excellence in food production. He spoke about the importance of food labelling stating the country of origin, as well as the need to remove rules and regulations which were damaging to the success of Britain’s agriculture.
“Mr Paice brought an upbeat tone to kick-start the 2010 Show”, according to William Goodwin, Vice-Chairman of the South of England Agricultural Society. “He inspired the audience and received rapturous applause. His message was warmly received and the promise of a task force to sort out food regulations really lifted the mood of an industry which faces more than its fair share of red tape.”
Before he left, the Minister joined the Marquess of Abergavenny, the Society’s President, to officially open the Show. They were introduced to children from Jigsaw Nursery School, in Scaynes Hill, dressed as bees to reflect this year’s theme.

‘Year of the Bee’ highlighted the plight facing the humble bee and its vital role in the eco-system. The message was in evidence across the show from a four-foot high hive in Pig Village to house young piglets, to the aptly named musical group Wildhoney. There were also displays of live bee hives, an array of honey and other bee-derived products displayed on many exhibits across the showground, including the NFU Mutual Insurance stand.
For David Staples, the Show’s Chairman of Bees and Honey, the theme had been very well received. “I believe we managed to get the message across, loud and clear”, he said. “And now many more people are aware of the dangers threatening to wipe out our wild bee population and the devastating effect this would have on us all.”
Across the three days of the Show, over fifteen hundred horses took part in the many competitions, and the crowds had a chance to see everything from tiny ponies to the majestic display of the massive Heavy Horses.

“It is the classic rural icons which attract the biggest crowds”, according to Brian Williams, Chairman of the Show Society. “When something as quintessentially British as the daily cattle parade, or the hunt and their hounds, enters the main arena you can hear the crowd’s roar across the showground. They are assured a rapturous reception.” Many European farmers came to the show in celebratory mood as this year marked the 30th anniversary of a very successful, yet unique international exchange scheme. International Farmlink was launched in 1980 as Eurolink, since when it has granted travel bursaries to dozens of the region’s farmers to allow them to explore Europe-wide practices and to learn from our Continental neighbours in this international exchange scheme. One of the scheme’s founders, Paddy Cumberlege, from Newick, was rewarded for his tireless work on behalf of the South of England Agricultural Society in many respects. He was presented with the 2010 Fellowship Award of Honour in recognition of many years of unstinting support. Campaigning dairy farmer, Phil Hook from Hailsham, who successfully led the local farmers’ resistance which saved his town’s historic livestock market, received one of the county’s top agricultural honours. He was presented with the Award of Honour by The Marquess of Abergavenny on the first day of the Show. Elsewhere across the 150-acre showground there were increased entries in the flower marquee which resulted in a riot of colour from award-winning floral displays and garden designs. The Forestry and Wildlife section is always popular and this year organisers reported an increased interest in their displays and exhibits which allow visitors close proximity to animals. The chance to get personal with cuddly things was extended in Fur and Feather where the impressive exhibit was enhanced with a Victorian tableau of poultry-keeping in a bygone era. Traditional skills in the hands of teenagers is an eclectic mix, but standards in the highly popular Young Craftsman of the Year Competition were as high as ever. A special prize was given this year for an innovative bee hive which reflected the Show’s theme. The overall winner was Greg Miles from Northbrook College in Worthing for his chest made from burr walnut and wenge. The Show’s President got to grips with one of this year’s innovations – the EcoVillage. Lord Abergavenny tried for himself an environmentally friendly electric bike before presenting the President’s Trophy. This was awarded to Neil Burke, from Oxted, who has been a member of the Show’s honorary veterinary team almost since the event’s inception. Now retired, he continues to run Veterinary Control. With one Show just over, plans are already underway for 2011. “Almost as soon as we shut the gates it’s time to start planning for the next year”, explained Deborah Barber, Director of the Society. “And with so much effort being put in by so many people for so long – especially our army of loyal volunteers - it is always gratifying when the Show is so well received as it has been this year.” Next year the South of England Show will be staged on June 9 to 11. Details from www.seas.org.uk