Preparations are in full swing to deliver the Burwarton Show on 3 August 2023. Competition is sure to be fierce with classes for heavy horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, carriage driving, dressage and showjumping, and the ever-popular mounted Fancy Dress contest.
It is a great honour that Burwarton has been invited to host the Highland Cattle Society National Show. For the visitor, this will mean even more of those photogenic long haired cattle. There will even be Highland calves. Who doesn’t love a Highland? You will find them in a dedicated area in the Livestock Field. Also in this field, you will find a wide range of other cattle breeds and dairy cows, hundreds of sheep and the ever time-wasting pigs – they are mesmerising. The sheep shearing competition will have you captivated from 10am. Do not miss a visit to this field; there is lots to see and learn.
Not to be out done, the horses also have two prestigious qualifying events. The winners of the Small Riding Horse and Large Riding Horse classes will be direct qualifiers to the BSHA Rising Star of Riding Horse Type Championship at the London International Horse Show in December 2023. The same applies to the winners of the BSPS Junior Performance Pony and Performance Pony classes, qualifying for the BSPS Performance Ponies Championships.
Any agricultural show is keen to showcase all aspects of the countryside, agriculture, the environment, animal husbandry and local produce; Burwarton covers all these aspects. The Conservation area will demonstrate fly casting, scything, vintage forge, wood turning and whittling, bee keeping as well as the chance to pet alpacas, donkeys, rabbits, and get up close to the Aldabra Giant Tortoises. Knowles Vintage Dairy has a comprehensive collection of dairy equipment from milking the cow to bottling the milk. The display of vintage tractors and stationary engines will evoke a rural nostalgia to many.
The Food Hall and the introduction of Wot’s Cooking demonstrations last year were delicious success. This year the line-up looks even better. Millie Preece, the Food Hall Steward, has worked very hard to bring together a wide range of local food and drink producers, together with some amazing chefs. The exhibitors and demonstration timetable will be published on the Burwarton Show Facebook page in due course. Visitors can also admire the efforts of competitors entries in the Handicraft and Horticulture marquee where there will be a fine array of cakes, preserves, needlework, flower arrangements and vegetables.
In the Main Ring, the headline entertainment will be provided by the popular Atkinson Action Horses and Twistmount Gundogs. Both will be taking to the ring twice during the afternoon. As you grab a chair around the ring, you can enjoy the display of perfectly turned-out horses, heavy horses, affiliated showjumping, carriage driving and the very creative Mounted Fancy Dress parade. The first horse classes start in the Main Ring at 8am. The horse field also has a full day of competitions in the six showing arenas.
Around the showground, the trade stands, shopping arcade and craft marquee will be offering everything from a shiny new tractor or car, tools and garden equipment, clothing and shoes, crafts and art, jewellery and leather goods, insurance, financial services and land agency, animal feeds and crop maintenance. Something for everyone.
On a Grand Day Out, everyone needs food, drink and facilities. There is a wide range of food outlets around the showground, ranging from burgers to noodles, fresh fruit and cake, milk shakes to beer and cider, and don’t forget ice cream! There are baby changing facilities and the toilets are high standard trailer units. Disabled visitors are also catered for, including forward parking and hire of mobility scooters (Event Mobility: 01386 725391).
Let’s not forget the children. The Panic Circus team – a modern non-animal social circus providing hands-on family fun activities – will entertain in the children’s play area. The Village Green programme runs throughout the day with Magic Russ, Punch and Judy, the Church Stretton Accordion Band, Helen Pearson singing and Raise the Dust Appalachian Clog dancers. The Aldabra Giant Tortoises return once again; always a magnet for young and old. There will also be a sheep breed competition for the children. Follow the Burwarton Show Facebook page to find out what to do.
For the regular visitor, you will be aware that the Showground is a haven of ‘no mobile signal’. Ordinarily, this tech-free day would be relished. However, it is frustrating for buying and selling. We have been improving this situation every year but the volume of people – a good thing! – floods the airwaves every time. Once again, the service will be boosted so that more card payments can be made. May you also bring a pocket full of cash, just in case!
Tickets and Memberships are available online. Visit www.burwartonshow.co.uk and click on the Buy Tickets button. Day tickets will be available online until midnight on Wednesday 2 August; late Membership applications after 23 July will have to be collected from the Show office. Schedules for all the competitions can also be found on the website in the Download menu.
Parking is free at the showground, which is at Cleobury North on the B4363 between Bridgnorth and Ludlow. Postcode: WV16 6RP. What3Words: tram.showed.skyrocket.
