Triumphant ‘miracle’ return of the New Forest Show in 2022
ORGANISERS have hailed the triumphant return of the New Forest Show with an array of activities and good weather expected to draw record crowds.
Describing it as a “minor miracle”, show chair Martin Stewart praised staff, contractors and more than 400 volunteers for delivering the first event since 2019.
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With early indications suggesting that over 100,000 people will visit over the three days, the popularity of the agricultural showcase was confirmed.
Show president the Duchess of Cornwall was unable to attend in person but is set to visit New Park, Brockenhurst, later in the year to see the show society’s education project which includes Little Rangers sessions for five to 12-year-olds.
In a relief for organisers, temperatures cooled significantly from last week’s record highs, with warm but overcast conditions and highs of around 22C described as “perfect show conditions”.
Show chief executive Denis Dooley was “relieved and humbled” to see it back and busy.
He said: “We are extremely honoured to have the support and help of all the volunteers – without whom we would never be able to run the show.
“We’d like to especially congratulate Kirsty Slocombe for winning the Alistair Bernard Award, which goes to a steward who has gone over and above this year for the show, and especially with supporting staff throughout the pandemic.”
There were a few early morning teething problems with car parking and internet access but these were resolved by Tuesday afternoon.
Some traders had difficulty with taking card payments on Tuesday amid problems with the Wi-Fi network after an important piece of equipment stopped working.
One stallholder told the A&T: “We haven’t been able to take card payments and it has really impacted our sales. After the pandemic people are much less likely to carry cash, so it has been a real problem for us today.”
Show spokesperson Aaron Lawford said the Wi-Fi was initially working as planned but by mid-morning on Tuesday the show team was made aware of a partial outage causing problems for traders.
He said: “Our contractor identified a faulty piece of hardware and that was switched out with the connections restored by lunchtime.”
The main ring attraction, the Atkinson Action Horses, drew bumper crowds, showing off skills seen on TV’s Poldark, Victoria and Peaky Blinders.
Show jumping got under way early on Tuesday morning with the first riders appearing in the East Ring at 8am.
On Wednesday a competitor in the carriage driving classes had to be helped from the ring after her horse spooked and the carriage overturned.
Hands-on activities were high on the agenda this year with kid’s cookery, sports taster sessions and environmental workshops.
Also new for 2022 was a farming experience zone, where youngsters were able to try a mini tractor rally, climb aboard farm machinery and chat to children and teens from the Young Farmers organisation.
Mr Stewart added: “It’s fantastic to be back – we haven’t had a show for three years so there will be elements that are a bit rusty and when you consider the sheer number of contractors and stands that are new this year.
“I’d say it’s all gone very well. When you consider what has happened in the last two years, it is a minor miracle that we are here with all this going on around us.
“I would also say the fightback for next year’s event starts now – we will be looking at the things that aren’t quite right and making adjustments. It is really important to remember that for the most part this event is run by an amazing team of volunteers.”
