Latest news with #DevonCountyShow
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
County shows offer 'more than money' for traders
Traders say being at big county shows in the South West are about more than money - despite multi-million boost they bring to the economy. Thousands of people braved the wet weather to visit the opening day of the Royal Cornwall Show in Wadebridge on Thursday to see the variety of displays on offer. The South West Business Council estimated the event, which was due to run until Saturday, along with the Devon County Show at the Westpoint Arena near Exeter would bring in a combined £80m to the region's economy. But traders on the ground in Wadebridge said while the figures highlighted these events' importance, there were plenty of other benefits which made them crucial for business. South West Business Council chairman Tim Jones said events like the county shows were a big money spinner for the region. He added the £80m figure might even be "quite conservative" because of the reach the shows give firms after the events end. Mr Jones said: "I was speaking to one of the big specialist construction contractors and last year, he was still getting the benefit of show orders generated during the Royal Cornwall Show six months later." Phillip Stansfield, managing director of the Cornish Cheese Company, said the company goes to about 45 county shows during the year, with the Royal Cornwall Show being the best financially for the firm. He said while it does bring in a lot of money, the chance to meet current and new customers and showcase its products were bigger positives for the company. "We do make a bit of money here, but it's a bit more than that," Mr Stansfield said. "It's about putting our brands out there, putting tasters out there and getting people to like it and hopefully carry on buying it throughout the year, not just at this show." Nick Vincent from farm machinery business Vincents echoed Mr Stansfield's thoughts. "In our trade, people buy off people and these shows are a massive part of that," he said. "It can really stimulate business for the rest of the year and over the next few years." Kim Conchie, a non-executive director at the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, said he felt places like Cornwall thrived on the interconnectivity the shows could provide. He added: "The shows are almost like another problem for the high streets because people are coming here and spending their money rather than going to their local town centre. "It's a huge consumer facing exercise." Bosses from British Wool, an organisation representing farmers who collect, grade and market wool, said the Royal Cornwall Show and Devon County Show were "an excellent shop window" for the industry. Head of member engagement Gareth Jones said: "The shows provide us with an opportunity to engage with our sheep farmer members and to judge competitions such as the fleece and wool on the hoof, which recognises high standards of wool production." The National Farmers' Union (NFU) added the platform the shows offered to celebrate the agriculture industry provided an opportunity for growth. An NFU spokesperson said: "People are genuinely interested in farming and the shows provide a real platform for the industry and for farmers to speak with the public about what they do and for people to enjoy themselves and do some business." Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Why Cornwall loves its 'truly agricultural' show Prince William to visit Royal Cornwall Show Devon County Show breaks visitor record Royal Cornwall Show Devon County Council
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Warning of M5 delays as thousands set to attend Devon County Show
Drivers are being warned to expect delays on the M5 near Exeter due to the Devon County Show this weekend. The three-day event at the Westpoint Arena, Clyst St Mary, is expected to attract up to 100,000 people. It will take place on Thursday, May 15, Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17. This is expected to cause increased traffic on the M5 north and south of junctions 29 and 30, the A30 east and west of Exeter and the A38 south of Exeter. Congestion has previously occurred during the morning influx to the show, particularly the M5 northbound between junctions 31 and 30, and traffic is likely to be particularly busy on Thursday morning. M5 traffic will be directed to use junction 30 to access the showground via the A376 and A3052, while A30 westbound traffic will be directed to exit at the Daisy Mount junction and use the B3180 and A3052. READ: Weymouth seafront bike and classic cars night draws crowd John Ingram, south west network planner for National Highways, said: "We're working closely with our partners at Devon County Council and Devon and Cornwall Police to give drivers advice to help them plan their journeys during this busy period, and our traffic officers will be patrolling the M5, A38 and A30 to assist with any breakdowns and incidents. "Junction 30 of the M5 could be particularly busy and the north approach to junction 30 could also see significant increases in traffic between 8am and 10.30am over the three days when visitors to the Devon Show could be using the motorway at the same time as commuter and freight traffic. "The A30 east and west of Exeter and A38 south of Exeter could also see increases in traffic, and drivers are advised to plan their travel routes in advance, and to keep up to date with the latest road conditions. "Yellow signs will advise show visitors which route to take on the approaches to the show." For more event details, people can check out the Devon County Show website. In the meantime, drivers can obtain up-to-the-minute travel information by accessing the Traffic England website.
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Devon County Show 2025 breaks visitor record
A record number of visitors attended the Devon County Show (DCS) this year, organisers have said. DCS said 101,500 visitors attended the event over the course of the weekend, surpassing 2023, which drew 97,000 129th show ran from Thursday 15 until Saturday 17 May at Westpoint Arena, near manager Lisa Moore said the good weather "created the perfect atmosphere for record-breaking advance ticket sales." 'Deepest gratitude' Ms Moore said: "We are absolutely delighted with the outcome and, as always, extend our deepest gratitude to the incredible volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to making this show the remarkable event that it is."We also want to thank each and every visitor who purchased a ticket. "As a charity, all profits from the show go directly toward supporting the rural community."The show featured more than 600 trade stands and various special guests including actor Martin Clunes, presenter Kirstie Allsopp and Clarkson's Farm's Kaleb Cooper, organisers also featured a visit from Show President, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, DCS added.
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
More than 95,000 expected to attend Devon County Show
More than 95,000 people are expected to attend the Devon County Show during the three-day event, organisers 129th show runs from Thursday until Saturday and will be held at Westpoint arena, near to organisers, there will be more than 600 trade stands and various special guests including actor Martin Clunes, presenter Kirstie Allsopp and Clarkson's Farm's Kaleb Cooper. In February, it was announced The Princess Royal would be the 2025 president of the show. Show bosses said Clunes, best known for Doc Martin, would appear at the show on Thursday at 10:00 BST and would open the Festival of Heavy McFeat, organiser of the festival, said: "There is no-one better for the job."Cooper will visit the showground between 13:00 and 16:00 on his time at the show, he will tour the Farming Zone, judge a Young Farmers' Class, and take part in a question and answer session in the Young Farmers' Marquee. On Saturday, Allsopp will be in the crafts and flowers pavilion – a football pitch-sized marquee dedicated to floral arts, baking competitions, garden installations and craft Vickery, former Rugby Union player, best known for being a member of England's 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning squad, will also was born in Barnstaple, Devon, and grew up in Cornwall. He will be at the Raging Bull stand on Avenue E on year, the Devon County Show selects a charity to benefit from its fundraising efforts. Pete's Dragons, a charity with its head office in Exmouth, has been chosen for the 2025 event. Founded a decade ago by Alison Jordan, Pete's Dragons is dedicated to providing appropriate and professional support to those affected by suicide.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Princess Anne appointed president of Devon County Show
The Princess Royal has been appointed president of the 2025 Devon County Show. The Devon County Agricultural Association (DCAA) announced the appointment of Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne, during its annual meeting on January 31. The DCAA, known for its flagship event, the Devon County Show, expressed its delight at having the Princess Royal as its figurehead, given her "longstanding commitment to food, farming, and the countryside". Princess Anne on a visit to the Devon County Show in 2015. (Image: Lord-Lieutenant of Devon) The Princess Royal, the only daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II and sister to King Charles III, runs her own farm and estate in Gloucestershire. She was also the first member of the Royal Family to compete in the Olympic Games, riding the late Queen's horse, Goodwill, in the equestrian three-day event. She succeeds celebrated Michelin star chef Michael Caines MBE DL as president. The Princess Royal will be supported in her year of office by deputy president Roger Ellis. Mr Ellis, a fourth-generation farmer from Dunchideock, took over the family farm at the age of 18 following his father's death. Roger Ellis has bee appointed as Deputy president (Image: Katie Mortimore Photography) He said: "I am honoured to take up the deputy presidency and will greatly enjoy supporting the Princess Royal during her year as our president, particularly given our mutual passion for horses and rural life. "2025 also happens to be the year that my wife Mary and I celebrate our diamond wedding anniversary—60 years of marriage, which is quite a milestone. "It's going to be quite a year all around." The Devon County Show always provided Mr Ellis with a welcome distraction from the responsibilities and challenges he faced with the farm in the early days, in particular the hefty burden of death duties. His connection with this annual celebration of rural life in Devon spans an impressive 60 years, most recently serving as chief steward of the horse section—an apt role given the Princess Royal's equine interests and connections. The Princess Royal has been named the hardest-working royal of 2024 for the fourth year in a row, after carrying out 395 engagements in the UK and 79 abroad. The Devon County Show takes place on May 15, 16, and 17.
