The Suffolk Show returned following a two-year absence to Trinity Park Ipswich on the eve of the Platinum Jubilee Bank holiday organised by the Suffolk Agricultural Association. The event saw a combination of wet and sunny weather over the two days and despite this a crowd of 97,218, thought to be a record attendance, turned out for the annual agricultural event. Held on the Tuesday and Wednesday prior to the Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday the event retained its traditional agricultural show elements combined with trade areas and themed zones. For this year there were also some special displays to mark the Platinum Jubilee.

Around the showground there were plenty of displays and entertainment for the visiting public to enjoy. Taking part in a number of display rings were the animal classes with various breeds of livestock including cattle, pigs, sheep and goats. Alongside those were the rings with equestrian competitions for light and heavy horses both in-hand and ridden while larger rings saw driving and jumping classes. The Collins Grand Ring was the setting for the main displays and competitions over the two days with the major show jumping classes, coaching, heavy horse turnouts, scurry and the Bolddog Lings Freestyle Motorcross Team displays. Both days saw the popular grand parade of livestock and heavy horses that also saw trophies awarded to Suffolk Show Champions. To close the show at the end of the second day a special Platinum Jubilee Pageant was held. This saw Suffolk based members of the British Army and Royal Air Force joined by representation from the United States Air Force, Cadets from all three services, the Emergency services, Youth groups and local Charities parade in front of a group of local dignitaries. The pageant was opened by the Red Devils parachute display team from the British Army and also included a military band and a performance of the National anthem. In addition to the Pageant there was also a group of displays for the Platinum Jubilee covering the seventy years of The Queen’s reign. These included displays of vehicles including cars, trucks and agricultural machinery while others showed how Suffolk had changed and progressed over seventy years.

Along with the livestock on show there was also displays of agricultural equipment and machinery from small manual tools, all sizes of tractors right up to the large combines and beet harvesters. Making a popular return was the Farming Live zone where a group of show stewards explained the process of barley from planting to harvesting while Class apprentices demonstrated the machinery involved. During this there were also interviews with farmers and producers and closer looks at the machinery with explanation how they worked and what they done.  This zone proved very popular attracting large crowds, especially when the Class harvester was being demonstrated. In another area there was a display of rare breeds of livestock to educate the public by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. A cooking demonstration from the Ladies in Pigs proved very popular, they were promoting cooking with pork and giving samples of what they had cooked. Alongside them Wild Play Ltd were providing activities for children that had an animal related theme.

Around the show site there were themed zones these included sports, military. Emergency services and skills. The sports zone saw Suffolk clubs promoting their sport. These ranged from the well-known Ipswich Town football club, Cricket and Athletics to the not so high profile sports like American Football, Fencing, Croquet, Archery and Lacrosse. There was also a Geo tagging range, climbing wall and mini off-road cycle circuit to try. The Military Zone saw displays from the Suffolk based armed forces. Taking centre stage here was a fully operational Apache helicopter from the Army Air Corps at Wattisham that was flown in the day before the show and departed on Wednesday evening. The Parachute and Royal Anglian Regiments along with the Royal Logistics Corps were also running activities. From RAF Honington the RAF Police were demonstrating some of their equipment while the United States Air Force were also taking part. Displays from the fire and medical services and 48th Fighter Wing from RAF Lakenheath, while RAF Mildenhall was represented by the special operations wing based there, security and logistics units.  The recruitment units from all three services were in attendance along with representation from both the RAF Air Cadets and Army Cadets. The Skills Zone was operated by Suffolk New College gave youngsters the opportunity to try their hand at new skills including bricklaying, woodwork and media activities.

The Suffolk Show will return next year to be held on Wednesday May 31st and Thursday June 1st at Trinity Park Ipswich. Further details can be found by visiting www.suffolkshow.co.uk.

Photo Albums from the Show

Agricultural machinery – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.556576009803696&type=3

Farming Live – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.556582176469746&type=3

Heavy Horse Turnouts – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.556586383135992&type=3

Heavy Horses – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.556612406466723&type=3

Jubilee pageant – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.556623446465619&type=3 

Light horses – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.556628669798430&type=3

Around the show – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.556636013131029&type=3

Show jumping – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.556640016463962&type=3

Vehicles – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.556646033130027&type=3

Short videos from the Suffolk Show also available to view on out Facebook page. These include Farming Live and the Apache departing on Wednesday evening. 

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063539045065

Gary Malkin