Thousands enjoy Burwarton Show fun - with video and pictures

Burwarton Show celebrated its 127th annual show yesterday, with organisers saying they believe more than 20,000 people attended.

The show, held in the village near Bridgnorth, is one of the biggest events in the agricultural calendar, with many people returning year on year.

This year’s highlights included a special visit from eight giant tortoises, an impressive aerobatic display form the Squibb Freestyle team, and a horse lead scurry-driving competition.

Families were also able to enjoy a vast range of activities, while meandering through the hundreds of stalls which were selling local food and wares.

In the livestock area, many varieties and breeds could be spotted, with the show attracting some of the most impressive animals from across the three counties.

Melissa Roberts, 33, from Baschurch, near Shrewsbury, was showing her family’s prize Herefordshire cattle.

She said: “There was some really good cattle here this year, so it was a stiff competition.

“We’ve got two new baby cattle out, so we’ve been concentrating on keeping them calm.”

The Roberts family have been breeding Herefordshire cattle for almost a century, and attend Burwarton Show every year come rain or shine.

“To prepare the cattle for the big day we start by selecting a good calf.

Social

“We then have to train them to walk the right way, and then train them to the halter.

Ms Roberts added: “We also try and make them look good by washing and clipping the cattle, so they’re looking their best for the big day.

“I’d say there’s around a 100 hours of work before getting to the show.

“For us, shows like this are our social outlet, farming can be quite an isolating job at times so it’s good to get off the farm and see all our friends.

“It’s a really friendly atmosphere here, and a bit of a party one too. It’s always a great show socially, that’s what it’s all about.”

The show’s main ring entertainment also featured a parade of vintage tractors, decorated heavy horses, Concours d’elegance and a parade of carriages and a parade of Ludlow foxhounds.

Originating form the Seychelles, the giant tortoises offered something a little different this year.

The gentle creatures attracted a decent crowd throughout the afternoon and were a big hit with the children.

Adrian Graham and his eight giant tortoises travelled from Lincoln to attend the show.

He said: “This is the first time I’ve been to Burwarton and it’s a really lovely show and a great atmosphere.”

“The tortoises are my personal pets, I started keeping them when I was about four, so it’s been a life long commitment and has become a bit of a conservation project for me.

“This is a bit of fun today.

Popular

“The tortoises are proving really popular, they’re not offensive, they don’t make a noise, they don’t chase you and they don’t bark.

“Even though they’re not everyone’s cup of tea, they are very social and like to be stroked.”

A large collection of agricultural machines and tractors could also be seen.

Amongst the chugging engines and petrol fumes, Bryn Rawlings could be found tending to his vintage 1973 County 754 Super 4 tractor.

Mr Rawlings, 23, an agricultural mechanic from Clee Hill, entered his newly restored machine into the show’s ‘Best Restored’ category.

He said: “The machine was tipped off a silage pit in the late 1980s, so it was in pretty poor condition when I found it.

“I’ve spent the last seven years completely restoring it, everything is brand new and it is now looking like the original which left the factory, everything down to the tyres.

“There’s two prizes in the vintage tractor category, one for the best restored, which we’re trying to go for, and another prize for the best original.

“We come every year, it’s nice to talk to people and share stories with people who have the same interests.

“It’s always a really enjoyable event.”

Delicious food and local produce could be purchased from the many stalls which dotted the showground, with many local businesses doing a roaring trade.

From the usual breads and meats to more exotic and usual foods, the various stalls offered something for everyone.

Fantastic

Darren Rogers, of Loafer’s Bakery in Bromyard, said the show offered a good opportunity to promote and advertise local companies.

“The show is a regular thing for us every year, it’s always a good show for us.

“We try and attend a variety of shows and the day went excellently.

“It’s fantastic for local traders, it’s also great for advertising.

“As well as selling our products we’ve had a chance to get our name out there and meet people.

“People keep coming back year on year, which I think shows their loyalty.”

Daniel Dyke, an engineer, had travelled from Oswestry, with his children and wife to see what was on offer at the show.

He said: “It has been a real treat to visit Burwarton for the first time.

“I had never been before but heard it was one of the best agricultural shows and it really hasn’t disappointed.

“There is something for all the family. We enjoyed seeing the animals, the entertainment in the ring and also the food on offer was something else.

“I had a bison burger but there was all sorts of treats you would not expect to come across.”

Thomas Edwards, from Shrewsbury added: “It is an excellent show and I am glad I came. I enjoyed the events in the main ring and there was something for all.

“The kids really enjoyed it and the weather helped so it was a real good day out.”