Five things you might not expect to see at the Suffolk Show
Suffolk is busier than ever this week as tens of thousands of people from far and wide attend the Suffolk Show in Trinity Park near Ipswich.The event, which kicked off on Wednesday, celebrates the county's heritage and culture with visitors able to enjoy hundreds of shows, performances, food stalls and more.While firm favourites make a return to the show, which will come to an end later on Thursday, there are also unexpected new things to see and do each year.
Dinobot Dave
One thing you might not expect to see at the Suffolk Show is a small, interactive dinosaur called Dave.It was created by Transformers Car Hire, based in Leicester, which was invited to the show by the county council.Simon Peters from the company said Dinobot Dave was "like a very big dog"."He interacts with everybody, you can stroke him under the chin, he'll roar for you, it's head waggles around, you can feed him and he waggles his tail," Mr Peters said."This was my manic idea one evening. It started out as a kid's toy - a green, fluffy dinosaur toy."I stripped him all the way down, took all the paint off him, took all the electronics out, all the motors, rebuilt him back up as the Dinobot, and we've put a saddle on him from a Shetland pony."This way, the kids can come sit on him and get some photos. He's a cool lad."
Sherman tanks
New for 2025 is the Victory 80 display, to commemorate Victory in Europe Day.As part of this, Sherman Tanks as well as other military vehicles can be viewed.The tank was designed and built by the United States for World War Two.It was one of the most widely used tanks among the Western Allies and was deployed to Western Europe as well as North Africa and other places.
Gliders
Also new for this year's show is a glider display from the Army Gliding Club (Anglia) based at Wattisham Airfield near Stowmarket.The gliding club has existed for about 40 years and was established to introduce service personnel to the sport. The club now also accommodates veterans and civilians.Simon Ginns, club secretary, said: "We exist to help soldiers learn to fly."It is fabulous, it is probably the best way to learn to fly and certainly the cheapest way to learn to fly."Our youngest solo pilot is 14 and he came to us at 13 with no flying experience and went solo in six months, a week after his 14th birthday."
Vintage farming equipment
Farming and agriculture are a huge part of the Suffolk Show - but you might not expect to see equipment that is over 100 years old.Ben Hockley, a regional sales manager for G. Thurlow & Sons Ltd, based in Stowmarket, brought along vintage equipment to the event. This included a pair of ploughing engines that were originally built for World War One."When the war came to an end, they got adapted for an agricultural purpose," Mr Hockley said."We supplied these engines with the plough they pull across the field, with the cultivator and with the other attachments that it would have had back in the day."We also would have supplied the living accommodation - the hut, that the men who worked these machines slept and made their breakfast and lunch in."We've got paper records in the office going back to when these were sold, which we've supplied to their current owner."
Boysie the huge horse
Horses are another staple of the show, and while the likes of the Suffolk Punch and heavy horses are large, there is one that potentially towers above them all.Boysie is a 13-year-old Percheron horse that stands at about 2m (6.5ft)."He's 19.2 hands high, but he's never been officially measured because when we took him to the vet to measure him, their stick wasn't tall enough," Lynsey Atkin, Boysie's owner, said."He's very straightforward, considering he's a big horse, you'd think he'd be very scary, but actually he's really easy, calm, and I would happily put a beginner [rider] on him, which is nice because with a big horse you need them to be safe."
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'In light of the recent record temperatures, it is really important to be mindful of the weather and make sure there isn't any dry grass or foliage nearby that could ignite from embers,' he says, 'particularly so if it is windy and there hasn't been any rain.' It is also important to consider the space around the fire pit and allow plenty of room to move around. Keep children and pets away, and always read and follow safety instructions. Are gas fire pits better than wood-burning ones? Gas fire pits have some advantages over wood-burning fire pits; they tend to be easy to use, with an in-built ignition that should light the propane/butane fuel from your connected gas canister (which will be sold separately) at the flick of a switch. Gas produces a 'clean burn' with little smoke or airborne ash, so you and your guests can enjoy the fire without worrying about singed clothing, eye irritation or smoky smells. With that said, for some users, there's no replacing the rustic experience of using real wood on a wood-burning fire pit. If you like the idea of building your own fire and you enjoy a smoky atmosphere, a wood-burning model is the way to go. How do 'smokeless' fire pits work? Smokeless fire pits burn a hard fuel such as wood pellets while producing low volumes of smoke relative to traditional wood-burning models. This type of fire pit reduces smoke by burning at two levels: primary combustion of the hard fuel at the bottom, and secondary combustion of remaining smoke and ashes (material which is not properly burned at the first pass) at the top. The two levels of combustion are facilitated by airflow through the fire pit. Some smoke is still produced, but much of the visible smoke and ash from primary combustion is incinerated. Using a low-smoke wood fuel or well seasoned firewood will provide the lowest attainable levels of smoke. Gas-fuelled fire pits also produce little smoke relative to a traditional wood-fuelled fire pit, so they can be considered as an alternative 'smokeless' option. How long will a cast iron or steel fire pit last? The lifespan of a cast iron or steel fire pit can vary depending on the thickness and quality of the material, as well as on your usage habits, storage and maintenance. Retailers' estimates on the longevity of high-quality models range from around seven years to 25 years and longer. Steel and cast iron are both susceptible to oxidation, and the level of rusting often greatly influences the lifespan of a fire pit. The material will be likelier to rust if it is left in wet conditions or filled with moisture, or if the surface is scratched, dented or otherwise damaged. Try to find out the warranty terms via the manufacturer or retailer. This will guarantee a minimum lifespan, although many cast iron and steel fire pits can comfortably outlast the warranty period given proper care. Should I cover my fire pit when I'm not using it? Water and detritus can easily accumulate inside and on top of an uncovered fire pit, leading to rusting and uncleanliness. So, most models will benefit from being covered while not in use. To ensure effective coverage, choose a suitably sized waterproof cover that can be secured tightly over the fire pit. Many fire pit manufacturers offer purpose-made covers as an additional purchase, while generic covers are available via retailers such as Amazon. Allow your fire pit to cool down completely before you handle or cover it.
