Written by Carly Freestone | 19th June 2019
Country shows take place all over England in the summer time and celebrate the very best of British livestock, local food and rural skills. For us at Michael Graham, The Blakesley Show in Northamptonshire is a particular favourite and as a show sponsor for the 15th consecutive year we’re preparing to pull out all the stops at our stand this year.
Hopefully we'll soon be enjoying the summer weather, and what better way to spend a sunny Saturday than in the country?
Described in some quarters as London Fashion Week for farm animals, it’s true that the stars of country shows are the magnificent cattle, superb sheep and the cleanest, sweetest smelling pigs you’ve ever seen. Shampooing and grooming behind the scenes must surely be a sight to behold.
This year the 135th Blakesley Show has around 65 showing classes for cattle and sheep, 70 for horses and a small section for exhibiting produce. Sheep shearing, a gymkhana and a display of vintage farm machinery are regular highlights of this traditional rural show, with the not so traditional-sounding Kangaroo Kid Quad Bike Stunt Show ready to set pulses racing in the main ring. And if you like to shop, you won’t be disappointed. Hundreds of trade stands turn up to tempt around 3,500 expected visitors.
This year on the Michael Graham stand we’ve taken our inspiration from Chelsea and opted for a quintessentially English, classic country garden theme. A spectacular flower wall will provide the perfect backdrop for stunning selfies and if you’re feeling lucky on the day, prizes will be up for grabs in the croquet challenge and summer raffle. So whether you’d like to talk homes or hydrangeas, we’d love you to stop by and say hello - please pop in for afternoon tea and a glass of Pimms if you’re passing. As ever, we look forward to seeing you there.
Entry to the Show is £12 for adults, £5 for under sixteens and children under eight go free. The £25 family ticket admits two adults and up to three children making this a showstoppingly good value, fun, family day out. Pop the date (Saturday 3rd August 2019) in your diary and Blakesley Heath Farm, NN12 8HN in your Sat Nav. We look forward to seeing you there!
Are you a Blakesley Show regular? We’d love to hear your top tips for making the most of the day. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram