Doors open this weekend for Royal County of Berkshire Show

Royal County of Berkshire Show ready to open the doors to Berkshire’s Best Weekend

Royal County of Berkshire Show will open its gates to the public at 8am on Saturday 17th September. For two days this huge event will be the centre of attention for the County. As one of England’s premier agricultural shows it brings together town and country in a celebration of the countryside.

At the Show’s core are the livestock competitions; with over 1800 entries in its cattle, sheep, pig and poultry classes, visitors can get close to some of the very best that the country has to offer. The competitions culminate in the Grand Livestock Parade which takes place in the main arena in the afternoon on both Saturday and Sunday.

Livestock is central to the Show but visitors can discover and enjoy much more. If you only have one day to visit then choose carefully from the full programme of events because you won’t be able to fit everything into one day.

There’s the countryside area where you can watch gun dog and fishing demonstrations, meet the hounds and have a go at pole climbing. Rural crafts are also on display and you can learn about threshing, hedge laying, wood working, stonewalling and even mole catching. You can also visit the Harvest Centre where you can learn about the harvesting cycle and have a go at bread making.

Once out of the countryside area you might want to relax with a cup of coffee and listen to some music – there are two bandstands to enjoy, The Parkway Bandstand with a wonderful programme of big bands and choirs and the BBC Radio Berkshire Bandstand which offers dancing, interviews, singing and music.

If you have children looking for entertainment then head off to the sports zone where you can test their rugby and football skills – and you can even meet Reading FC’s mascot. Or make your way to the Funfair and have a go on the big wheel, the helter skelter and one of the many traditional games.

The Show’s main arena has a great programme of events and highlights are The Devil’s Horsemen stunt riding display team and The Band of the Brigade of Ghurkas. There’s also Show Jumping competitions with some of the UK’s leading riders, scurry driving and each day, weather permitting, culminates in the mass ascent of hot air balloons.

Whilst Dad keeps the kids entertained, Mum can go shopping – there are over 600 shops to browse plus the Craft Tent, the Food Fare Marquee and, new this year, The Eco Village.

All the family will enjoy the Young Farmers Tug of War competition, heats take place throughout the show, leading up to the final in the Young Farmers Area in the afternoons. Our Young Farmers have been training hard so make sure that you come along to cheer them on.

Towering above the whole showground is the 42.5 ft high Wicker Man – this massive wicker sculpture was designed by 8 year old Thomas Lydford-Brace who was the winner of an Oxfordshire Schools competition.

And finally to get a real taste of the history of country life, visit Reading University’s stand where the Museum of English Rural Life are celebrating their 60th anniversary alongside that of BBC Radio 4’s programme, The Archers. The accompanying exhibition explores the changes in the countryside and Archer’s actor Tim Bentinck (David Archer) and editor Vanessa Whitburn will be visiting the show and participating in a Question and Answer session open to all.