Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2011 | Page 83

COUNTRY LIFE

Encouraging signs for

IW County Show
There have been encouraging
signs that the annual Isle of
Wight County Show is beginning
to re-establish itself as a leading
summer event.
The Show was held recently at
the Northwood site, and despite
poor weather conditions there was a
positive response from local farmers,
who ensured an increased number
of livestock on display, particularly
cattle. Now there is even talk that
the County Show could return to its
original two-day format next year.
Rosemary Edwards, the IW
County Show secretary, said: “We
did not charge for admission or
parking, and we felt there would
have been a lot more people there if

the weather had been kinder.
“We had a members’ tent where
lunch and drinks were served for
members of the Agriculture Society
and that proved very popular. We
also carried out a membership drive
and about 30 or 40 people took up
the offer, which was very pleasing.
“Beforehand we asked for more
support from farmers, and our plea
seemed to work, as there were about
14 pens of cattle this year compared
with only two or three 12 months
ago.”
Rosemary added: We have a
meeting planned when we shall
be discussing the possibility of
returning to a two-day show.
Thankfully we have a few more

people on board who are prepared to
put more time into trying to make it
a bigger and better show next July.
“Thanks to the article in Island
Life magazine last year we had more
people coming forward to lend their
support. We are still looking for
more enthusiastic members to help
make things happen, but overall the
future looks quite encouraging.”
If anyone is interested in helping
to organise next year’s IW County
Show, or can offer support in any
way, they are asked to contact
secretary Rosemary Edwards on
email address rosemary.e@virgin.
net.

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