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ITV News
3 days ago
- Business
- ITV News
Royal Manx Agricultural Show expected to attract 20,000 over two-day event
Organisers explain how important the show is to the agricultural sector on the Isle of Man Around 20,000 people are expected to attend the annual Royal Manx Agricultural Show on the Isle of Man. The event showcases a range of Manx produce, highlighting the agricultural sector on the island. This year marks 174 years since the event started, remaining an important date in the farming calendar. Show director, Andrew Corrin, said: "I've heard it described as the shop window for agriculture, which it is. "I mean people aren't around farms everyday - a lot of people never see a farm - so to be able to see what happens and what goes on - you need an event like this to show the general public what we do. Farmers on the island have said the event is essential in keeping the sector going. Secretary to the show, Carol Kennaugh, added: "There's a lot going on at the moment about how important it is for people to buy local and how much is produced locally. "The Isle of Man is 33 miles long and 17 miles wide, so our food has a very very low mileage travelling. "It's just really important - it keeps our economy going - it keeps people in business." Some of the events available to see at the show include horse displays, dog ability classes and a parade of classic cars. A number of livestock competitions then take place on Saturday with classes for dairy cattle, calves, beef cattle, heavy horses, sheep, donkeys and meg lambs, as well as a fur and feather tent. This concludes with the Grand Parade at 16:00, where the 'Supreme Champion' is crowned. Vendors and visitors flock to Knockaloe in Patrick in the west of the island on Friday and Saturday. The gates open at 09:30 BST on both days, with the show field closing at 17:00. Mr Corrin, said: "This is just an empty field throughout the year, and we just start from scratch and set out. "And then there's a team of volunteers who come for a few weeks to start putting marque's up." More information on the Royal Manx Agricultural Show can be found here.
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
All you need to know about the Royal Manx Agricultural Show
The largest event in the Manx farming calendar is set to see thousands of people flock to the west of the Isle of Royal Manx Agricultural Show is one of two annual showcases of the industry on the island designed to draw in people from across the secretary Carol Kennaugh said the show was "extremely important" in providing an opportunity for farmers to get together as well as showing people not directly involved what the local sector has to offer. When and where? The two-day event, which attracts about 20,000 visitors each year, takes place at Knockaloe in Patrick on Friday and gates open at 09:30 BST on both days, with the show field closing at 17:00. What will be on show? Friday sees a full light horse programme taking place on the show field as well as dog agility and obedience field then plays host to the main livestock competitions on Saturday, with classes for dairy cattle, calves, beef cattle, heavy horses, sheep, donkeys and meg lambs, as well as a fur and feather classes culminate in the Grand Parade at 16:00, where the 2025 Supreme Champion will be crowned by this year's by this year's show president Voirrey Kelly, the identity of the person selected for the coveted role remains a closely guarded secret until the judging throughout the show include sheep shearing contests, vintage tractor and machinery parades, a Young Farmers' tug-of-war, and produce competitions. Ms Kennaugh said the educational side of the show remained "very important to us"."We encourage as much as we can for people to come, see, talk to the exhibitors, and ask questions," she part of that ethos, the Manx National Farmers Union tent offers the opportunity to find out more about the different breeds of livestock on the includes being able to see the animals up close in special display pens on both produce is also brought to the fore in the Manx food producers' marquee in conjunction with the Department of Environment, Food and included small traders where "everything's locally sourced - or as much as it can be - made locally and then sold", Ms Kennaugh said."It's amazing what is available but we do need to make people aware of it.""The food mileage is very, very low, and it is on all Manx produce. I mean where can you buy a pint of milk where the furthest it's travelled is probably 15 miles?" However, she said providing entertainment in various of guises remained a vital part of the programme."We can't just concentrate on the agricultural side, it is a family day out, it is a community event."So we have to have events, entertainment, and stand holders that appeal to everybody who lives on the island and indeed visitors that are over as well."And that includes performances by equine stunt group Outlaws and Spike Milton and the International Timber bandstand will also showcase a number of live musical performances throughout the day on Saturday, alongside a range of trade stands. Transport and parking? All parking is free at Knockaloe, with trailer rides provided from each of the car parks to take visitors to the show field and back again to help them return to their coming from the Douglas direction will be directed from St John's along Patrick Road to the Patrick junction before being filtered into the car approaching from the south will be directed down over the Round Table through Dalby and Glen Maye and again guided into the car people are asked not approach from the Peel to Patrick coast road, as Ms Kennaugh explained: "We try to discourage any traffic through Peel, we would prefer everyone comes in the designated routes, which fit in with our traffic management plan." Buses are also available from St John's to are available online in advance, or can be bought on the gate on both days. Are dogs allowed? Dogs are allowed on both days as long as they are kept under control and on a lead."Preferably a non-extending lead, to be on a static lead is ideal," Ms Kennaugh said. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
