Record-breaking crowds enjoyed Saturday’s Newport Show making it the biggest and best in the long history of the event.
The sun-drenched showground at Chetwynd Deer Park was the venue for a range of exciting attractions including the Bolddog Lings motorcycle team providing a dare-devil display of jumps while a thrilling display of horsemanship was provided by the Knights Of The Damned jousting team.
It was the 101st event to be staged by Newport and District Agricultural Society and featured a non-stop program of entertainment from gates opening at 8am.
Show president, Scott Dobson, said: “The record number of visitors is proof that the show continues to go from strength to strength despite difficult economic times.
“We had an incredible turn-out which did, unfortunately lead to some queuing for those people who arrived late morning. We are very sorry that some visitors did experience a slow entry into the show ground, and we will be working very hard to address this problem, working both with the Police and the highways agency over the coming months.”
The show was staged a week earlier this year to tie in with the school term and give families a chance to attend before their children break up and go on a family holiday.
Temperatures of up to 24 degrees saw ice cream sellers and refreshment providers do a brisk trade.
This year also featured a record 160-plus trade stands across the park and in the Food Hall where visitors were offered the opportunity to sample a range of speciality foods and enjoyed live cookery demonstrations.
Other attractions included craft marquees, antiques and floral exhibits.
Hundreds of livestock and other animals came from all over Shropshire and neighbouring counties to compete for the coveted titles – and with more than £13,000 given out in prize money.
Mr Dobson added: “The showground has a vast area for parking which is provided free of charge and the ground conditions were excellent. Stewards worked well to ensure cars and pedestrians moved on and off the site in safety.
“Our job now is to listen to the feedback from the day and take on board any comments as we start planning for next year’s show.
“The initial feedback was excellent and as a team of volunteers, who meet all year to plan the show, we were delighted at the response.
“It was heart-warming to see visitors of all ages, and from towns, cities and country areas, coming to the show. There are probably few counties in the UK that have as genuine a love for the countryside as we see here in Shropshire.”
By Joseph Masi
