County show gets underway
See what happened on the
first day of the county show.
by Chris Hunter
chunter@thekmgroup.co.u
The forecasts have been gloomy, but
hardy visitors to the 80th Kent Show at Detling -
including the Earl and Countess of Wessex - are hoping for a
fantastic weekend.
Prince Edward and his wife Sophie arrived at the Kent Showground
just after 10am, where they were greeted by crowds and welcomed
by George Jessel, Deputy Lieutenant and Chairman of the Kent
County Agricultural Society.
Mr Jessel bravely assured the Prince the weather would
remain dry but for "a small shower", before the
Royal party embarked on a tour of the showground on this,
the first day of the 2009 show.
Meanwhile, thousands of visitors have enjoyed the usual mix of
entertainment, from livestock shows to demonstrations
by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery - with
their ‘thirteen pounder’ state saluting gun - and a
singing 10ft robot called Titan.
"This just keeps getting weirder and weirder" remarked Titan at
one point, on being cornered by a husky dog - and he's not
wrong, the County Show seems to get
increasingly eclectic, bizarre and, in turn,
entertaining, every year.
To find out what's going on where, click here to see the arena events
Just yards away in the Countryside Ring a sheepdog adopted
from former gypsy-owners last week was preparing to herd ducks for
the first time in its life.
"He's never done this before" remarked the Australian dog
handler "he just looks at these ducks like burger and chips...
he might eat one."
Fortunately for the small group of Indian Runner ducks
he didn't; the smiling crowds kept smiling, applauded a
thoroughly entertaining show and went onto enjoy the rest
of the afternoon - for a few minutes the sun even came
out.
But remember, if the skies do open over the weekend, News in
Pictures – a Kent Messenger Anniversary Exhibition – is under
cover in the Kent Pavilion showing more than a hundred
pictures from the Kent Messenger’s archives on all three days.
Picture Gallery
Alistair Coney with his Peter Atlantic Model train from 1953 recently restored.
Kent County Show 2009
Picture by Matthew Reading
Balvinder Bansal selling plenty of wellies
Picture by Matthew Reading
Lexie Foord, seven, climbing on the climbing wall.
Picture by Matthew Reading
Crowds at the County Show 2009
Picture by Matthew Reading
Lilly Essex, 13, with Rolo the sheep. Lilly is part of the Cobtree Young Farmers, who are based at Kent Life.
Picture by Matthew Reading
The Countess of Wessex at the Kent County Show 2009.
Picture by Matthew Reading
The Earl of Wessex presenting Trevor Austin from Wye with the Edward Hardy trophy for Forestry Service.
Picture by Matthew Reading
Earl and Countess of Wessex visiting the show.
Picture by Matthew Reading
The Earl and Countess of Wessex visiting the show.
Picture by Matthew Reading
The Earl and Countess of Wessex visiting the show.
Picture by Matthew Reading
The Countess of Wessex visiting the show.
Picture by Matthew Reading
Friday, July 17 2009
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