Tiverton. Planning is well in hand to ensure that the Show is as impressive as ever. The site is partly on National Trust land at Knightshayes Court and also partly on Chettiscombe Trust farmland providing a perfect setting for an agricultural show.
Last year we had a new show site – this year we have a new Show Organiser. Jacqueline Stamp joined us in March when Carolyn Branton left the show after 20 years at the helm. Jackie has worked within shows for many years, she was secretary of Kingsbridge Show for 7 years, and stewards the livestock at Devon County, Honiton, Totnes, Dunster and Bath & West. She was also a livestock steward for Mid Devon Show but, unfortunately, will be otherwise engaged this year!
We are all looking forward to welcoming our visitors to what, we hope, will be a fantastic day out in the countryside.
We would like to acknowledge the support of all the various landowners and tenants in helping us to bring the Mid Devon Show to its new site, The National Trust, the Chettiscombe Trust, Richard Frankpitt and Sons and the London & Devonshire Trust
The show charity for 2016 is Devon Young Farmers– who are raising funds to continue developing the Young Farmers Hub at Cheriton Bishop.Mid Devon and they will be promoting themselves throughout the showground.
This year’s Show President is Tony Sloley. Tony was part of the original group who re-instated the Mid Devon Show 23 years ago. He was Treasurer for most of the first 21 years, Vice Chairman in 1996-2003, Chairman and Assistant Treasurer from 2004-2006 and has been a stalwart of the Show.
Facilities for the public are arranged to make visiting the show as easy as possible, we would ask that all members of the public respect the signage put in place for the event.
Traffic:
All parking is free.
Clear signage will be in place on all main routes to direct traffic to the nearest appropriate car park. We would ask that people follow the signage for the event rather than their sat. navs., when they are approaching the show.
As some of the approach roads are single track we are also using a Park & Ride system from the previous showground at Crown Hill, Halberton, with a frequent bus service which will then drop passengers off at a newly designated bus stop area close to the showground. 9.00am to 6.30pm
Cyclists
Due to the proximity of the showground to Tiverton, visitors can travel by cycle. A secure compound for cycles is in place at Orange Gate which may be accessed via Lea Road.
Public Services
A half hourly free bus service from Tiverton is available, with pick up points at Kingdom’s Garage, Tiverton Bus Station, opposite Westexe South car park, Factory Gate (Shillands), Youth Centre, Baptist Church, Lowman Green, Tiverton Hotel and the roundabout by McDonalds.
We also have a free bus service from Crediton, one run, commencing at 9.30am from Lapford car park and picking up at The Green, Old Town Hall, Old Cinema, Cadbury Garage and opp. Fisherman’s Cot at Bickleigh and will leave the Show Bus Stop at 5.30pm.
A free bus service from Cullompton which will pick up from Padbrook bus stop at 9.00am, the Bull Ring, top of Headweir Road, in Willand opposite the football club and at the One Stop and also at the Village Hall in Halberton. This bus will leave the Show Bus Stop at 5.45pm.
There will also be a free minibus service picking up from Tiverton Parkway end of road, Merriemeade Hotel (Sampford Peverell) and opposite Halberton Club.
A taxi ‘pick up’ area has been designated at the showground within the Show Bus Stop facility.
Pedestrians
We welcome any pedestrians and access is off Lea Road towards Chettiscombe. Signs and Stewards will be stationed on the approach to guide people on the route to the showground.
A reserved parking area is set aside for disabled visitors in Knightshayes (Blue Park) and we have the added assistance of Mid Devon Shopmobility providing wheelchair and electric scooter facilities. Customers are strongly advised to book in advance, contact tel: 01884 242099 or email: faye.ashton@dcta.org.uk for further information.
There are three main areas where plenty of toilet facilities are available, including disabled facilities.
For children the Kingwood Childcare & Pre-School crèche facility will be available for youngsters complete with a Baby Changing unit. The Play Areas are well supplied with a variety of entertainment.
We shall also have the availability of cash and banking services which will be based at Orange Pay Gate.
Dogs are acceptable on the showground as long as they are under control and on a short leash. Any ‘poops’ should be cleared and removed as we do not provide facilities for the few dogs present. In addition please note that it is an RSPCA recommendation that dogs are not brought to the showground, and especially, are not left in cars.
Advance tickets are available at reduced prices until the close of business on the Monday of the week before (18th July) at outlets in many venues as follows:
Crediton MoleAvon Stores
Cullompton Thorne & Carter
MoleValleyFarmers
Exeter Tourist Information Centre
South Molton Stags Estate Agents
Tourist Information Centre
Taunton Tourist Information Centre
Tiverton Apsleys Accountants
Heard & Sendell Ltd
Hospiscare
Medland Sanders & Twose Ltd
Tourist Information Centre (at theTivertonMuseum)
Watermans
Wellington Stags Estate Agents
Tourist Information Centre
Or e-mail from the Web Site www.middevonshow.co.uk or from the Show Office by sending a cheque and sae.
Adults £15
Children (5 – 16) £5
Pre Show – on sale up to end of day Monday 18th July
Adults £13
Children (5 – 16) £4
There are also opportunities for children to obtain free tickets by cutting out the voucher in the Primary Times magazine and some of the secondary schools in the area are also given an allocation of tickets.
Refreshments will be on hand all around the showground from regional businesses at mobile units offering filled burgers and baps to ice-creams and fruit drinks. Ashfords Solicitors, are also offering light refreshments, ring side, for Members and Sponsors in the Ashfords Members Marquee.
The Show opens to the public from 9.00am when the first Cattle, Sheep and Pig classes commence with the Pygmy Goats at 10.00am. The Carriage Driving competition takes place in the Driving Ring, and the Heavy Horses are in the Horse Ring. There are Working Farm Demonstrations during the day and the Music and Dance Pavilion will commence at 10.00am with the Main Ring in full action from 10.30am until 5.30pm.
The Main Ring Programme is as full and lively as ever commencing with the Young Farmers Competition, Vintage Farm Machinery Parade. Jamie Squibb Motorcycle Stunt Display is the professional performer this year. The Pony Club Games show off their competition tactics as used in the Prince Philip Games. Hounds from several different packs will be part of the Parade of Hounds the Heavy Horse competition winners will be showing their style with the entrants from the Private Driving Competition and the Livestock will be another highlight when all the prize winners, the cream of Livestock in the west country, will be on show and filling the ring in the Grand Parade.
In the Farm Demonstrations Area we will have teams of Heavy Horses using vintage farm equipment as well as the Vintage machinery. The Demonstrations then move on to the modern machinery and the whole area will be concentrating on grass processing. The Show theme for 2016 is “Firmly Rooted in Farming”. There are several firms helping out with this demonstration with a variety of machinery, most of which these days do all the work in ‘one pass’. They will be highlighting all the procedures from mowing to tedding and baling or foraging and storage.
Livestock entries are looking good with a full complement of Dairy and Beef Cattle, Sheep, Pigs and Pygmy Goats. As well as the general Livestock competitions, Fleeces and Wool on the Hoof classes the Show is also host to the Devon Holstein Club Young Breeders Calf Show. Of particular interest are the Young Handlers classes encouraging young people in animal husbandry and it is fantastic to see the increasing numbers entered in the Rare Breeds sections helping to sustain the gene pool of these less well known types of animals.
Trade Stand space is almost completely filled and we are very pleased with the reputation which the Mid Devon Show has earned over the years. Trade Stands exhibitors consist of a wide variety of businesses with agricultural, sporting pursuits, horticulture, clothing, services and many more with most being from the local area and pretty much all from the west country.
The marquees for the various features will also be very busy All the marquees specialize in promoting local businesses and products. The Farmers’ Market Marquee and Food Hall will promote a variety of tasty produce all from farmers within the area. Our specialist Craft Marquee will be as excellent as ever. The other features are around the showground and include a variety of Domestic Fowl plus a Cavie show. The W.I. will be holding a display and their Country Markets are open for purchases. The local group of Churches welcome all visitors for a quiet sit down and some refreshment, if needed. The Flower and Garden Marquee will be resplendent, decked out with flowers of all scents and colours. The Exe Valley Group of Young Farmers will be hosting their annual Rally at the show with a large variety of classes and competitions and the Tiverton Schools is growing from strength to strength with a full display stage this year. The Heavy Horses & Private Driving exhibitors have their own competition area but finish up with their own parade in the Main Ring. The Countryside Area with a variety of sporting pursuits is a show in itself with a multitude of countryside skills for everyone to watch or try out. Have a go at casting or archery and meet the owls too.
The Music and Dance Pavilion is one of the highlights of the Show with a full programme of variety: Kalash Tribal, Barracuda, Clare Lash Williams (soprano), Stay Lucky, Wyndham Male Singers, Ozzy D and Byzantium Lane.
The Show Society would very much like to acknowledge all the help and support which it receives from so many sources and enables the Mid Devon Show to be such a successful event.
A full day’s entertainment is being planned with a huge range of competitions and features where you can either watch or join in.
Everyone is welcome and we hope you will enjoy your visit to the Mid Devon Show.
