Fun for all the family is promised at this year’s Royal Bath & West Show from 1st - 4th June
The south west’s biggest and best agricultural show takes place at the Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet, from June 1st to 4th, and once again promises four days of half-term holiday entertainment for all, from traditional stock parades to high tech action.
There’s the chance to walk on the wild side with real live wolves in the woods, lead camels and llamas through the forest, feast on the very best food and drink from across the country, and see a military gun stripped and re-assembled in seconds.
A military tattoo will be the highlight of the main ring events featuring the Household Cavalry, the White Helmets – the Royal Signals Motorcycle Display Team, a spectacular sight and sound sensation, bands, the Royal Marines Commando Display Team, and a Gun Run Challenge. The Royal Navy Raiders Parachute Display team will swoop down from the skies into the Main Ring and a moving parade by the Chelsea Pensioners will bring the show to a close on the final day, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The tattoo is in aid of the Royal Star and Garter Charity whose vice-president Simon Weston OBE will be making a personal appearance at the Show, which is once again sponsored by EDF Energy.
Every dog will have its day at this year’s Show and dog lovers would be barking mad to miss it as new features at the Show include the Rockwood Dog Display team, and the Barkshire Bandits Flyball Competition, promoting the fastest growing dog sport in the country. The Dog Show run by Taunton and District Canine Association is the West’s leading canine extravaganza offering everything for dog lovers and is the perfect setting to see favourite breeds of dog being judged from around 1,000 exhibits. Utility, Gundog, Toy, Pastoral, Working, Hound and Terrier Groups will compete on 1st and 2nd of June, while on Friday and Saturday 3rd & 4th June there are competitive classes for flyball, the fastest growing dog sport in the country. Teams of dogs run over four hurdles and retrieve tennis balls from a spring loaded box as a relay race. The Barkshire Bandits Flyball Teams were formed in 1996 and have since climbed the ladder of success culminating in winning the Summer Championships 4 years running. They now have three teams that run on a regular basis, of which their top team is amongst the fastest in the country. This year they are running a series of sanctioned flyball tournaments at several shows around the country. And the Rockwood Dog Display Team will deliver a fun-packed show full of daring stunts and clever routines designed to entertain audiences of all ages.
More animal excitement is promised with the wolves in the woods from the UK Wolf Conservation Trust. The wolves will be with a team of experienced handlers and the Trust’s aim by bringing them to the show is to dispel myths and misconceptions that surround these beautiful animals. As well as meeting wild wolves there’s the chance to coax camels and lead llamas through the trees down in the Woodland and Wildlife area of the Show.
Another newcomer is the Showground’s own Bath &West Railway which will be officially opened at the Show, offering rides to the public on its steam and petrol powered miniature trains.
And there’s the chance to see exciting action from the Tree Pirates – the UK’s Number 1 Chain Saw Sculpture team whose work includes the highly acclaimed giant 35 foot scorpion sculpture at last year’s Glastonbury Festival
The magical beauty, charm and history of the Orkney Islands is being transported 700 miles to enchant the crowds at this year’s Show. A whole Orkney village – complete with musicians, food producers, artists, sculptors, craftsfolk and story tellers - will be created next to the Orchards and Cider area at the show, just a salmon’s leap away from the Main Ring. The aim is to show off the work, wonders and culture of the Islands and so encourage Bath & West visitors to put Orkney goods on their shopping lists and visit Orkney for a truly relaxing holiday. “We have chosen to come to the Royal Bath & West Show because it is the best consumer show in the south west and so it is the ideal place for us to raise awareness of all the treasures we have to offer,” said John Clarke, head of Orkney Marketing.
Closer to home there will be a celebration of the region’s top tastes and talents in the Celebrating Somerset and Wealth of Wiltshire areas. And Somerset Life is itself once again championing and showcasing the county’s very best through its Food and Drink Awards which will be presented at the Show.
Show jumping, alpacas, the popular fun and fact-finding tour round the Family Trail and the high tech innovations of Imagineering will all be back, plus over 1000 trade stands offering the best “shopportunity” ever! There’s the chance to see the very best of British livestock on parade - from the tiniest Call duck to the mightiest Aberdeen Angus bull – plus the opportunity to enjoy the country’s biggest cheese show with over 500 taste tingling cheeses jostling for awards.
Celebrities at the Show include Keith Chegwin who will be helping children judge their favourite cheeses on the opening day, and Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall who will be helping judge the champion ciders in the Orchards and Cider Area on the Friday.
Over 10,000 entries will be on show from art and wrought ironwork to jams and prize bulls, with many new livestock classes this year – including Bluefaced Leicester, White Park, Beef Shorthorn, British White, Any Other Native Breeds and Suckled Calf Classes, and new Horse of the Year Show qualifiers.
Musical delights range from the First Battalion of the Black Watch Pipes and Drums, the 6th Fleet US Naval Band, the Hampshire Ex-Servicemen’s Concert Band, the Band of HM Royal Marines from Plymouth, to Casablanca Steps, the Rainbow Steel Orchestra, The Wurzels and an Abba tribute band.
Save £££S and book now on the saver ticket credit card hotline on 01749 822 222. Advanced saver prices are £15 for adults, £12 for senior citizens and disabled, £4 for children aged 5 – 15, or a Family Tickets for two adults and up to three children is £35. Children under five go free.
On the gate prices are £18 for adults, £15 for disabled and senior citizens, £5 for children aged 5 – 15 or £40 for a Family Ticket.
For further details ring 01749 822200 or visit the show’s website on www.bathandwest.co.uk