Community Yearbook 2020

ROYAL COUNTY OF BERKSHIRE SHOW

Newbury Weekly News

Thursday, 16 January, 2020

Greatest show in town DAREDEVIL motorbike stunts, more than 2,000 animals and 648 trade stands drew record crowds to the 110th Royal County of Berkshire Show.

Prize-winning furniture maker Mark T amcken and son Harr y

Tens of thousands of people took advantage of scorching temperatures to attend on the Saturday. As a result, there were significant traffic issues as visitors tried to reach Newbury Showground. Visitor numbers on the Saturday were up 20 per cent compared last year. On average, around 850 people entered the gates every 10 minutes. The two-day event, spon- sored by Clarence Court Eggs, saw a motorbike stunt show, polo match and farm machinery pageant headline in the main arena, as well as a full schedule of equine classes and competitions.

Arts of the countryside DOG displays and ferret

Richie Sanderson (centre) with his daughter Isobella and head chef Cal

Cooking up a treat for visitors SOME of the region ’s top chefs tantalised the taste buds in the cookery theatre by whipping up some mouth-watering food. Richie Sanderson, who owns both The Bladebone in Chapel Row and The Bull at Stanford Dingley, enlisted the help of his daughter Isobella. Accompanied by head chef and shareholder Cal, the trio cooked cheesy scones with hollandaise sauce (because Richie “has to have hollandaise with everything”). This was followed by a decadent sticky toffee pudding, which has become a firm favourite at The Bladebone– so much so that the restaurant dishes up an estimated 200 to 300 portions a week. Head chef at the Donnington Valley Hotel Darren Booker-Wilson enthralled the audi- ence by passing on top tips and recipe ideas. This included treacle-cured beef [slathered in treacle with star anise and slow cooked for 72 hours] in a Yorkshire pudding wrap, as well as chorizo-spiked Scotch eggs made with Berkshire pork and a soft yolk.

Meanwhile, there was a hive of activity in the honey tent, with a particular buzz around the Newbury and District Beekeeper’s Association. The association hosted a honey show this year for the first time in 40 years which attracted entries from 188 people. The bee-related exhibits on show included beeswax candles, many different honeys, wax cakes and candles and bars and combs of honey.

racing were just two of the events that attracted large crowds to the countryside area. A number of local companies and organisations had stands. These included Kingsclere- based artist Gordon D Ward,

The livestock display featured a number of local winners. Wendy Webber from Reading won the Berkshire Pigs class, Betty Judge from Faringdon won in the pygmy goats section, Jane Freeman from Reading won a number of classes in the chickens tent and Sarah Sladen from Kingsclere was champion in the Sheep Tent with her Black Welsh Mountain.

who was exhibiting his impressive selection of acrylic paintings.

He said: “I’ve been doing the show for probably 10 years now, but I’ ve been painting for the best part of 20 years. “I’ve sold three and had a lot of visitors who really liked my work and were inter- ested. It’s been great.” Membership secretary and treasurer Chris Warner said: “We are so pleased at the way this has gone.” Turning Japanese

Elegant display of horse power THE power and elegance of the horse was on display as part of the show’s equine schedule featuring jumping, racing and a bit of drama. Attending the show for the first time was the Guards Polo Club, which was founded in January 1955 with Prince Philip, Duke of

VISITORS to the show this year had the opportunity to sample a Taste of Japan. A special tent with a Far East theme was set up to tie in with the Rugby World Cup, which started the day before. Two large screens showing live games were also placed in the village green area. Stars were the Akita dogs from the Japanese Akita Inu Club. Visitors were able to pet the dogs, which originate from the mountainous regions of Japan.

Edinburgh, as president, a role he retains to this day. The club showed off members’ and ponies’ skills in the main arena in front of an excited crowd.

The equine agenda started with talks and displays from Retraining of Racehorses. Based in East Garston, the charity promotes theversatil- ity and adaptability of race- horses for other equestrian activities following their retirement from racing. It also protects horse welfare through a nationwide‘safety net’.

Kate Saunders and her daughter Gemma Davies from Blackberry Cottage

The show held the first International Stairway showjumping contest

counting towards the 2020 league on Sunday and it was the on-form Harriet Nuttall who took the win.

Save the dates! 19-20 Sept 20

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HO www.berkshireshow.co.uk