COUNTY NEWS: South of England Show to celebrate 50 years

The South of England Show is celebrating its 50th birthday in June 2017 where people are invited to enjoy the best of British countryside, food and drink and outdoor entertainment for the whole family.
The South of England Show 2017 returns for its 50th year in June. Picture: The South of England Show SUS-170313-154108001The South of England Show 2017 returns for its 50th year in June. Picture: The South of England Show SUS-170313-154108001
The South of England Show 2017 returns for its 50th year in June. Picture: The South of England Show SUS-170313-154108001

The show will be held from June 8 to June 10 at South of England Showground in Ardingly, West Sussex.

For three days, the South of England Agricultural Society will throw the spotlight on the charity’s achievements over the past 50 years, since it was established in 1967, with stunning displays of the best of British agriculture, equestrianism, countryside learning, horticulture and forestry; as well as great music, delicious food and drink and superb shopping.

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People can take a ride in the ‘Ardingly Eye’, a spectacular 32 metre high giant wheel, where they will get a unique bird’s eye view of the entire 150-acre showground which will be alive with hundreds of competitions and entertainment for all ages, arranged in zones to ensure the best possible visitor experience.

The South of England Show 2017 returns for its 50th year in June. Picture: The South of England Show SUS-170313-154033001The South of England Show 2017 returns for its 50th year in June. Picture: The South of England Show SUS-170313-154033001
The South of England Show 2017 returns for its 50th year in June. Picture: The South of England Show SUS-170313-154033001

These include Food and Drink, Livestock, Discover the Countryside, Agricultural Machinery, Garden, Plants & Flowers (incorporating Bees & Honey), Equestrian (including a the Heavy Horse Village), Skills and Craftsmanship, Country Sports (incorporating The Hound Show) and the Market Place retail area.

The Society will be showcasing its charitable work and continued support for the next generation with hundreds of students from schools and colleges from across the region involved in competitions, exhibits and demonstrations including the prestigious Young Craftsman of the Year exhibition. A wonderful wild flower meadow has also been planted to mark the 50th anniversary and a permanent record of the Society’s achievements will be unveiled in the Norfolk Pavilion.

The National Farmers Union will be exploring how farming has changed over the last 50 years as well as what the future holds and in the main ring visitors will be treated to a special display of farm machinery led by Society mascot ‘Bill the Tractor’ - the first tractor that was purchased 50 years ago and still in use today on the showground.

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There will be new entertainment in the main ring this year with The Devil’s Horsemen, Britain’s top equestrian stunt and trick team who will be performing breath-taking displays to music, dressed as Cossacks. Traditional precision marching and musical arrangements from the City of Coventry Corps of Drums will impress audiences and other highlights include the high-energy, micro-sized Shetland Pony Grand National; hound parades; and the famous livestock display with hundreds of beef and dairy cattle, sheep, pigs and goats.

The South of England Show 2017 returns for its 50th year in June. Picture: The South of England Show SUS-170313-154057001The South of England Show 2017 returns for its 50th year in June. Picture: The South of England Show SUS-170313-154057001
The South of England Show 2017 returns for its 50th year in June. Picture: The South of England Show SUS-170313-154057001

More than 1,500 horses and ponies will take part in the equestrian showcase that forms an enormous part of the three-day extravaganza, featuring dozens of classes from impressive heavy horse turnouts to the fast paced inter-hunt relay, spectacular show jumping to beautiful hackneys.

Titan the Robot will return to entertain the crowds and families should not miss the fun and informative Sheep Dog demo as well as the hilarious street theatre act, the Flying Buttresses.

The Heavy Horse Village will return this year and host the Weald and Downland Museum exhibition, Heavy Horse Coaches display and popular Sheep Show. ‘The Marketplace’ will also return to add to the visitor retail experience and the Musical Stage will showcase amazing musical talent from across the region.

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Every year, thousands of visitors to the show enjoy a unique introduction to farming, agriculture and the British countryside as well as entertainment, music, crafts, shopping galore and one of the most impressive food halls in the South East featuring many delicious local and regional foods.

The South of England Show 2017 returns for its 50th year in June. Picture: The South of England Show SUS-170313-154123001The South of England Show 2017 returns for its 50th year in June. Picture: The South of England Show SUS-170313-154123001
The South of England Show 2017 returns for its 50th year in June. Picture: The South of England Show SUS-170313-154123001

Family and friends can take full advantage of the ticket prices again this year with under 16s going free (accompanied by a paying adult £21); senior citizens and students over 16 £19.

There is also free parking and a regular bus shuttle service from Haywards Heath train station to the showground. For advance ticket discounts visit www.seas.org.uk.