Dorset’s newest and freshest rural show opens its gates later this month. The Spring Countryside Show is taking place at Turnpike Showground between Gillingham and Shaftesbury on the 23rd and 24th April.
The theme of this show is ‘Bring Spring to Life’. A line-up of over 50 exhibits, demonstrations and attractions are set to deliver a fabulous weekend, jam-packed with open-air and indoor interests to suit the whole family.
Countryside pursuits and rural activities will be on display, including a dedicated ‘Rural’ ring sponsored by Gritchie Brewing Co. Here you can see heavy horse logging, terrier racing, gun dog demonstrations and spectacular horseback falconry displays.
As well as animals being put through their paces, the ‘Woodland’ arena will see the famous Dorset Axemen battling it out against the clock and each other to chop through huge tree stumps.
There’s also a dedicated Farm Yard feature sponsored by Friars Moor Livestock Vets with the hilarious ‘Sheep Show’ – yes sheep love to dance! – plus farm machinery and goat milking demonstrations, where the goat milks will then be turned into delicious ice cream!
If mechanics are more your focus, there’s classic cars, military vehicles, autojumble and working steam engines to view close-up. A high-level platform will give visitors a fascinating birds-eye view into the inner workings of these massive machines.
Green-fingered visitors will enjoy stunning show gardens, floral displays and can buy gardening goodies from sculptures to seeds to greenhouses. Food lovers will indulge their passion in a dedicated cookery area. The best local produce is on offer, as well as new recipe ideas in the Cookery Theatre, run in association with Dorset Food and Drink, the champions of all that is delicious and local in our region.
To truly celebrate spring and all it brings, there’s a festival area with live music, food and, of course, a bar featuring local ales, gin and cider. This will all be open until 10pm on the Saturday evening so visitors can dance beneath the stars and enjoy a true festival vibe.
If that’s not enough to ‘bring on the spring’, there’s a fun fair with bouncy castles, over 50 craft producers, a shopping village and tractor and trailer rides. The rural skills of farrier, wood carving, blacksmith, stickmaker and coppice craftsperson will also be on show. You can even try your hand at willow weaving with various have-a-go activities scheduled throughout the weekend.
James Cox, event organiser said: “We’re so excited to bring this new country show to Turnpike showground. The arrival of spring is always such a positive time of year and this show embraces and highlights all the wonderful rural pursuits, traditions and talented craftspeople our region has to offer. There really is something for everyone to enjoy over the two days.”
It’s organised by the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show team who have the pedigree of bringing the justly renowned annual Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show to the county every August.
Tickets start from £8.50 for adults and just £1 for children – but hurry as the price will increase when a quota is reached!
And, if you have a country craft or tradition you can demonstrate or want to try your luck at a Show Garden or floral display – there’s still time to get involved.
For tickets, more information and details on how to exhibit, visit www.springcountrysideshow.co.uk or telephone 01747 823955.