WINTERTON SHOW

Over the last few days of last week, I kept looking skyward not a wise idea, as I wear glasses and it seemed to rain on them every time I looked up skyward. For I knew it was nearly time for the annual Winterton Agricultural Show, and as events around the region started to cancel, I thought one of my regular shows might be going the same way. So given the rain on Thursday Friday last it wasn’t looking good, but a keen eye looking on the show website stated despite some waterlogging the show was to go ahead.

So at last during this long wet dreary summer an event that was to take place, as a good number have been lost to the weather this year. Having struggled though despite everything making life hard for the organising committee, and a financial loss averted. And what a wise move for on Saturday the Sun shone brightly a rare event this year, and it also remained dry on the Sunday so lucky Winterton then.

The Show jumping had been cancel on the Saturday due to the wet conditions but the rest of the show was about to start and in warm sunshine. I noted that there was less people about early on was the weather keeping people away? But as the day progressed the numbers grew and by mid-morning the ground was full of people enjoying what was on offer.

So what was on offer this year, all the traditional events, showing of farm animals, sheep, cattle, poultry and my favourite the heavy horses, the gentle giants of the farming days past but still impressive animals.

And in the tents the usual but impressive flower arranging, this year’s theme musicals, in the enterprise tent, photography, food, crafts, and home grown vegetables, and children’s crafts.

Some of the highlights in the main ring was the floats, that had made their way through Winterton before arriving at the show ground, this year’s theme musicals and west end shows. With some seventeen decorated floats taking part, with three sections, infants, junior section, and adults. And a good selection was on display showing the work put in by all sections to prepare the floats and given the weather during last week making life more difficult than normal. What a relief that everyone had a procession in the warm sunshine.

Inside the craft tent was a small selection of commercial cart traders plus some interesting stands, one that I always visit is the  Winterton History Group, they have a very good selection of local photographs, and always spend time flicking though the books of prints, and having a good walk down memory lane. I always promise myself to get some of my archive photographs on line every time, I visit the stall.

The entertainment was the The Imps Motorcycle team, to quote its website; The Imps is a non-profit-making organisation that educates young people through a disciplined, dynamic and challenging programme of activities with a world renowned motorcycle display team at its heart. And they did impress with their skills on motorbikes.

Also there was vintage cars, and farm machinery mostly tractors, always well turned out with a good polish and a hit of leather seats from days gone past, and simple mechanical engines a far cry from today’s cars.

So in the end a good days entertainment was had by all, and don’t be upset I got a bit of a suntan on the Saturday, not something that happens much this year, so I made the best of the day, you don’t know when the next one is coming.

A selection of photographs and web links can be found on http://www.flickr.com/photos/temporraltime/sets/72157630529077824/

Winterton Show Site http://www.wintertonshow.co.uk/