Waitrose
The Royal Show - Visiting - The 2008 Show
Many positives from a Royal Show hindered by
bluetongue and July rainfall
Just short of 100,000 visitors celebrated the best of British food,
farming and the countryside at the Royal Show which closed its gates on
Sunday 6th July 2008.
Bluetongue restrictions - which, ironically were changed the day after
the show closed - left gaping holes in the livestock lines. Cattle
numbers were down from 1200 to 200 and sheep from 1600 to 400 - over
2000 animals short of expectations.
On the positive side we had a record 5000 school children in organised
parties who all voted the Education Trail and Children's Farmyard a huge
success. We also had around 2700 horses - from the biggest working
animals to the smallest children's pony and included some of the
nation's best showing prospects in international qualifying competition.
The Food Hall and Farmers Market were swamped with people all day, every
day. And significant international business was done with a number of
key overseas visitors
