After the wildly successful launch of the Spring Countryside Show last year, it is back at the Turnpike showground in April
With over 10,000 visitors throughout the weekend, the inaugural Spring Countryside Show in 2022 beat everyone’s expectations (you can read the BV’s review of it here). Organised by the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Agricultural Society, the 2023 event promises even more rural activities and events.
Giles Simpson, show chairman, said: ‘The Spring Countryside Show is all about bringing spring in the countryside to life. It’s a deliberately family-friendly event, with a chance to get close to a whole host of animals and learn more about rural ways of life. Being the earliest show in the county, it’s also a great way of celebrating the arrival of spring after a long, drab winter.’
The event will once again showcase a range of traditional rural crafts including wood carving, a farrier, heavy horse logging, gun dog displays and terrier racing plus the dedicated Farmyard Area which is full of animals to meet.
The Sheep Show was the surprise hit of 2022, and by popular demand they will of course be back. There are rumoured to be promises of a ‘Strictly Come Sheep Dancing’ show – would you give them a 10?
No show is complete without a fun fair, of course, plus working steam engines and classic cars.
New for this year is the Funky Festival Area where live music, food stands and a bar will be open right through to 10pm on the Saturday evening.
The Spring Countryside Show is on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd April. Tickets are on sale now (early bird price is £10 adults, children go free).
The organisers are always on the lookout for more exhibitors if you have a craft or tradition you can demonstrate.
For details on how to exhibit or to buy your early bird ticket, go to springcountrysideshow.co.uk
or telephone 01747 823955.
