Royal County of Berkshire Show visit

Yesterday I went to day one of the Royal County of Berkshire show held at Newbury showground.  This is an annual event and this year marks the 25th anniversary of the show being held at this venue and 101st anniversary of the show itself.

Whilst an agricultural event in the main, there was much to be enjoyed by all the family whether or not anyone is particularly interested in the countryside events or prize winning farm livestock and various equestrian classes.  Apparently over 600 stall holders were present offering everything from tools (boys' toys) to jewellery and one-off fashion items (girls' toys!) and plenty for the younger members of the family as well.

I have always enjoyed a day out at the local agricultural shows from when I was very young and my father used to take me to the Oxted and Edenbridge show. Turning his back on me just for a few seconds the one time, he turned round to discover I had disappeared!  Frantically searching round he couldn't see me anywhere but then his eyes were drawn to the hound pens where the various packs of foxhounds, beagles, bassetts etc were penned until it was their time to do a parade in the arena.  Apparently he could see a lot of wagging sterns clustered around one spot and then glimpsed me sat on the ground thoroughly enjoying being in the midst of all these happy hounds.  I don't even know how I got in with them and my father didn't either - still a mystery to this day!  Over the years I have been to many such shows around the country and my children still love to go even though young adults themselves now.