Royal Show turns up heat on rural issues - UK - As the temperatures soared into the high eighties on Sunday, July 2, farming families have flocked to the first day of the Royal Show which takes place at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire from 2-5 July.

The sunshine drew out the crowds, who have come for a celebration of the very best of British Agriculture. And this year the heat will also turn up on rural issues as the Royal Show plays host to an unprecedented number of MPs.

“We have more politicians than you can shake a stick at,” said Dominique Gill, managing director of organisers Haymarket Land Events.

“Where else can the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs meet quite so many industry leaders and explain his plans for connecting with farmers and other rural audiences? Where better for the Leader of the Opposition to gain greater understanding of the rural economy and the people that work and live in it. Where better for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee to leave Westminster for their very first Open Evidence session to reach out to ordinary farmers to understand views on CAP reform over the next ten years?”

Last year the show was “returned to its visitors”, she explained – a move that succeeded in attracting an extra 8000 farmers. “This year, as well as keeping the farming audience intact, we’ve turned a little more of our attention to the rural community in its entirety, because the farmer and grower is at the centre of a much wider community of businesses and rural residents.”

But it’s not just business, she added. The Royal Show is a great day out for the whole family, and new attractions this year include jousting by the Knights of Middle England and a magnificent display from the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery. And there are tempting treats galore on offer in the Food Halls and on other exhibitor stands throughout the showground. “The Royal Show is the ideal opportunity to taste, savour and share in the very best of British Agriculture,” noted Mrs Gill.

“I believe that our model of a single, national event meeting the business and social needs of our farming and rural audience is very sustainable. We are fine-tuning this great institution that is the Royal Show into an event that meets the dynamic needs of the changing farming and trade scene and the growing rural community.”

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