Great show lined up for "farmers' day off"
Shropshire boasts a thriving farming community – one where the next generation of farmers are now coming through and taking on the roles of their parents and grandparents.
I'm a third generation dairy farmer, and I'm at the helm of this year's Shropshire County Show, at the Greenhous West Mid Showground in Berwick Road, Shrewsbury, on Saturday, May 25.
We must remember that for many in the agricultural industry a day out at an agricultural show was one of very few days off each year a farmer would take.
This, of course, would be after getting up early to do the farm work before leaving for the day and then starting again once they were home. Show day was a day where they would reunite with friends and family from across the region.
They may not have seen their friends for several months or even since the previous show so it has always been a special day in the calendar.
But times have moved on and now our show is far more than a show for the farming community – it covers so many industries and is a true family fun day out.
The motoring industry does well at the shows, there are entertainers and businesses for the children especially with the popular Kids Zone and the food and gift retailers too. They all offer something different.
It is vital that any event moves with the times and we have certainly done that. It is a show offering something for anyone – from the baby in the pram to the 97-year-old great grandfather.
The Young Farmers are a vital part as they are the future of the industry as we were when we were young farmers ourselves.
Mental health within the rural communities and within farming is a huge topic at the moment and we hope people are thinking about this when they meet their friends and colleagues at events like our show. Awareness of mental health is key in many industries but particularly prevalent in an industry which can be so isolating.
A one day event, a day off from the farm, might be exactly what someone needs, and could be the chance to talk to someone who experiences their world 24/7 like they do.
Under-16s go free to the show, while, as in previous years, most of the activities are free once visitors enter the gates.
For more information or to buy tickets visit www.shropshirecountyshow.com.
Neale Sadler, Shropshire County Show chairman
