40,000 Attended Surrey County Show

Published on: 29 May, 2013
Updated on: 1 Jun, 2013

Around 40,000 people poured into Stoke Park, Guildford, on bank holiday Monday to visit the Surrey County Show.

Regarding the queues that built-up during mid-morning, the show organiser, the Surrey Agricultural Society, said today (Tuesday, May 29): “If people were stuck in queues to buy entry tickets the message is clear – book online next year and enjoy a discount as well – but once on site there were smiles all round and a huge amount to see and do.”

Dairy champion Robert Gray’s Ayrshire cow in milk. Picture by Pete Gardner.

The society reports that livestock entries were up this year and the quality of cattle was really excellent. Both the dairy champion and dairy reserve champion prizes went to animals from Surrey farms. Champion was Robert Gray’s Ayrshire cow in milk from Goldstone Farm, Polesden Lacey, with Mike Clear’s Jersey cow in milk from Pierrepont Farm, Frensham, in reserve.

The beef championship did not go to a heavy breed this year but instead went to one of the oldest of our native breeds, the Highland, with its distinctive shaggy red coat and massive horns. Mrs S. M. Tedbury’s cow Una Buidhe 5th of Miungairigh with her teddy bear calf at foot from Pulborough was a popular winner.

For the first time, sheep were included in the grand livestock parade in the main arena, and with the cattle they made a wonderful spectacle for the blessing by the Bishop of Guildford, and the prize-giving ceremony. Sheep champion was Messrs Wakeham-Dawson & Harmer’s Southdown shearling ram from Lewes. Reserve was Angus Maclean’s Texel shearling ewe from Fairoak, Hants.

Action from the double harness scurry driving. Picture by Mike Bennett.

Two of the London 2012 Olympic jumps added interest to the immaculate showjumping arena, and Robert Whitaker crowned his first visit to Surrey with a win in the Grand Prix on John Hales’s Asterix E2. The County Stakes was won by Guy Williams on his horse Belinka Van Het Overlede Goed.

A prize winner in the poultry marquee. Picture by Mike Bennett.

Show chief executive Sonia Ashworth said. “So many people came to enjoy the good weather and it was wonderful to see thousands of families learning about farming and food grown in our county.

“The display of farming machinery was fantastic – the farmers really enjoyed being a part of the show and we hope to have the machines back next year for our very special diamond jubilee show on May 26, 2014.”