The Red Devils, Apache helicopter, Racing Pigs, daredevil skateboarders, Olympic athletes, footballers cooking, top class show jumping, chocolate hand massages and live butchery feature in a packed programme of entertainment and thrills at Suffolk’s biggest event of the year – The 179th Suffolk Show, to be held at Trinity Park on Wednesday June 2 and Thursday June 3, 2010.
A two metre tall silent water feature, Adnams beach hut, come and try sports and skills competitions as well as new shopping stands and more than 1000 animals were promised yesterday at a press conference.
“There will be something for everyone on the two days of the year when we get together to celebrate and showcase the greatness of Suffolk and all it produces,” that’s the word from Show organisers The Suffolk Agricultural Association (SAA).
the executive director Christopher Bushby said the Association had exceeded its £100,000 sponsorship target and was delighted by the confidence of new sponsors to the Show.
“When you consider the tough times we are facing, it is a real testament to the Show’s ability to convene all the various communities throughout the county in these two days. This is one event that is a must for the budget of every sales and marketing director who has a business that benefits or targets the people of Suffolk and north Essex.
“This is the biggest retail space, the busiest office, the most active farmyard or estate, the most thrilling theme park and greatest college open day in the county,” he said.
“We have made various improvements throughout the entire grounds to improve the total visitor experience and are building on the key themes we established last year.
“Suffolk is at the leading edge of producing and growing local produce,” he said.
“Food and drink is more popular than ever this year, with tradestand entries for this growing area up by 25per cent on last year with a higher percentage coming from within the region. This year’s theme is meat. Both in the Adnams Food and Drink Experience, which has a new layout to accommodate more stands and a special Food Chain display, and in the Farminanglia area, families will be able to see live butchery demonstrations, identify from which part of the animal a cut of meat originates and even have a go at making their own kebabs.
“The drink courtyard has been extended so there is extra space to launch the Adnams mobile “Beach Hut” designed to complement the Adnams Boat Bar and bring a taste of Adnams and Southwold to customers at The Suffolk Show. The Beach Hut will showcase a selection of products from Adnams award winning Cellar & Kitchen stores and will offer free wine and beer tasting and advice.
“The Healthy Ambitions Suffolk Cookery Theatre will feature a local Derby as footballers from Colchester United and Ipswich Town go head to head in the cookery challenge – Ready, Steady, Cook.”
The Flower and Garden Experience
“Since last year’s rebrand this area has blossomed.
“This year we celebrate the 100th year of the Bonsai arriving in England; to address today’s increasing interest in grow your own, The Allotments Association will show all you can grow in an allotment space, as well as revealing how a wonderful community project is helping Ipswich people discover new skills.
“Sweet peas return to the show. Leading grower David Matthewson has turned down RHS Chelsea this year in favour of exhibiting with us for the first time. The students from Otley College will once again transform an empty space into a garden in a time challenge during the two days,” he said.
“A purpose built 2m high silent arch of water installation will greet visitors to the Flower marquee. The structure is a contemporary twist to the classic water fountain and made by Miles Waterscapes.
“Music is the theme for the Flower Arrangement Competition and the stewards will demonstrate how to transform a mixed bunch of supermarket flowers. ”
“Sports will be high on the Show agenda and Adam Baker, Suffolk Project Manager for London 2012 revealed its new campaign “Suffolk’s Pledge for 2012” to be launched at the Show. The Heart Sport Zone will encourage visitors to have a go at a new sport.
“Ipswich Town Football Club will have a major presence in this area, with members of its Foundation teaching ball skills and Questions and Answers sessions with Olympians.
“As an association with education at the heart of its aims, the SAA contributes £220,000 to education across the County. The County’s four colleges – West Suffolk, Suffolk New College, Lowestoft and Otley are represented in the Suffolk Skills area competing in practical skills competitions – carpentry, painting, motor mechanics etc.,” he said.
The Show costs the Association £1.4m to stage, about £1.2m is generated by the event, the balance of between £100,000-£200,000 is met by the Association.
Business
Sponsorship contributes greatly to the bottom line and there are 10 generous new sponsors including Ipswich Building Society that is sponsoring the Grand Ring. Paul Winter, chief executive said: “During the economic downturn it is more important than ever that we focus on the successes within our region, and the Suffolk Show is a great example of this. Bringing together the best of Suffolk there are always great opportunities to network with local, successful businesses at the show and of course, have a great day out. Ipswich Building Society is proud to sponsor an event that like ourselves, is at the heart of the county.”
Mr Bushby continued:”Along with other agricultural associations in the region, we have been receiving advise from an attractions market specialist and using his extensive experience of developing and enhancing the customer experience at theme parks and major tourist sites throughout the US and UK, to help us ensure the balance and flow of our show meets the business and consumer needs.
“As a result we have created extra room to accommodate more stands and anticipate 800 tradestands this year. To date there are 75 new ones covering all areas from sheepskin hats to designer chicken huts.
“Our visitors love to see and be close to the animals. In these days where there are increasingly fewer livestock in our fields, they remain one of the most popular features at the show. The show is a qualifier for the BPA National Pig of the Year, there are new continental sheep classes and new for this year donkey rides!”
Equine
To accommodate more entries and increase ring time by more than 10 per cent over the two days several significant changes have been made. Two rings have been merged to form the new ECR Properties Working Hunter Ring to enable classes for mountain and moorland working hunter ponies, working hunters and cobs.
“We have merged two smaller rings (formerly rings 7 and 8) to create a good sized new dedicated Working Hunter Ring and relocated two other rings – the Nacton and Levington rings – and ring 9 is renamed the Bucklesham Ring.
“We attract about 1200 equine entries across 290 classes and these improvements will reduce the amount of horse walk on the 350 acre site increasing safety for horse, rider and visitor.
“The three main rings – President’s Grand and Acorus light horse, will offer a diverse and thrilling range of activity throughout the two days.
“Show jumping is always a popular part of our show and we are fortunate that we attract many of the most eminent competitiors and horses in the country.
“Prize money this year will exceed £20,000 and we have several new events. The International Stairway supported by the British Show Jumping Business Partnership has a total prize value of £7,500.
“Prize value of The Eraser Stakes which was included in the Olympia programme last year is £1800.
“We are grateful to the on-going sponsorship from Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Ltd, offering £6,050 in the Two Star International Trial.
The Ride and Drive prize money stands at £2700.
Thrills and Spills
“We’ve pigs in the President’s ring this year, in fact pig-racing. I am assured that the scene of six rare breed pigs being enticed over jumps by suitable attired runners is quite a crowd-puller! Joseph’s Amazing Racing Pigs have to be seen to be believed.
“The thrilling displays also include the Mountainboard Big Air Show – a stunt display of all that is possible on skateboards.
“The highlight for many of us last year was seeing the giant Apache land in the Grand Ring as a very visible reminder of the military presence in the county, and its operations in war zones.
We are extremely honoured that once again Wattisham has put together an incredible bespoke air to ground display for both days. This will not be seen at any other show in the country and is a simulation of refuelling and rearming the Apache.
“To demonstrate our support for the families we will once again be giving 500 family tickets to the military establishments at Wattisham, Honnington, Colchester and Rock Barracks.
Volunteers
“The Show involves about 1000 volunteers including at least 300 member stewards, members of the uniformed organisations – army cadets, guides, scouts – and for the first time this year, equine stewards from Otley College will help to build and manage the jumps in the show jumping rings.
“It is hard to put a value to the amount that adds to the show.”
Catering
“Last September Trinity Park Events, the commercial arm of the Association, appointed a chef and now offers in-house catering which has proved a great hit with clients.
“Using mostly locally grown and produced foods, some grown by SAA members, the focus is on supporting local growers, reducing the carbon footprint and ensuring freshness, seasonality and addressing health and dietary requirements.
“I am delighted to announce that we will be providing all the catering for The Stockmans area, Director’s marquee and the Press lounge. The opening hours for The Stockmans will be increased to include Tuesday and there will be a 24 hour service of hot, cold, eat-in and take-away foods.
Tickets
“As always we try to keep ticket prices as low as we can, but firmly believe that at £38 for a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) with car parking, bought in advance, represents great value for money. This is a saving of £9 to tickets bought on the day. Where else can you get more than 12 hours entertainment for four people even at this price?” he said.
Tickets are available in advance for adults £16, children 4-16 years £5, senior citizens £14, cars £4, by visiting the website on www.suffolkshow.co.uk and from selected Tesco and Sainsbury supermarkets from mid-April.
Prices are £18, £6, £16 and cark park £5 on the day.
Gates open at 7.30am