Latest news with #SuffolkShow
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
TikTok star Spudman serves 5,000 jacket potatoes at Suffolk Show
TikTok chef Spudman said the Suffolk Show was the "best two days of the year" for his business after selling thousands of jacket potatoes to whose real name is Ben Newman, used 5,000 potatoes to produce more than 3,300 portions from his food truck during the two-day agricultural event at Trinity Park in Ipswich, more than 4.2 million followers on TikTok, did Spudman's presence help or hinder other food vendors at the show? With the average cost of a jacket potato from Spudman being £8, the social media star would have made an estimated £26,000 worth of sales at the Newman, who took time to pose for selfies with fans, said the most popular order at the show was his cheese and beans jacket potato, but his pulled pork offering also "absolutely flew out"."We prepared for it to be busy but this was manic, it was the best two days of the year so far," he added."Everyone was warning me that the event gets like 75,000 people through the gates, but you always take that with a pinch of salt, but it was packed."It's a brilliant show and the people of Suffolk are lovely - I will absolutely come back." 'It's been quieter' Jill Hales, of Jilly's Jacket Potatoes, told the BBC her number of customers had "definitely gone down" this complimentary of Spudman, Mrs Hales said she had to throw away 75 potatoes after not being as busy as she had anticipated."It has been quieter on the potato front, I must admit, and I do wonder if a lot of people have gone over to the Spudman instead of coming to me," she said."We used to have a bit of a rush at tea time, but that didn't happen and friends on the other side [of the event] said they didn't have any customers by 14:00 BST because [Spudman] had affected them."He is a really nice man and he came and introduced himself, but I am going to be at the Norfolk Show and if he is there then I would ask for my money back and not go." 'He gave us a shoutout' Shaun Sabiny, from the Highland Crispy Duck, said the arrival of Spudman in the county had attracted more people to the Suffolk Show and more customers to his added Spudman had been great for the event by attracting large crowds and promoting other traders on his social media pages."Him being here has worked to my benefit because he put a shoutout [about us] on his [social media] feed and we had a queue after that, so it's great, and he is a great guy," he said."It's crazy, the guy is literally serving jacket potatoes with anything else that your local cafe would, so it's completely different and I don't see any competition at all."At the end of the day we are all traders here and we're all here to achieve the common goal, which is make money and give the good people some good food." 'Spudman was great for show' Kevin Reade, of Reade's Hog Roast Event Caters, said he would usually sell about £10,000 worth of food over the two days of the he spoke to the BBC he said takings were slightly down compared to previous years, but stressed that Spudman was "great for the show"."I think it's a bit of a gimmick, but he is a really nice guy and I met him this morning and he had one of my hog roasts and said it was excellent," he said."Even my grandson wanted a picture taken with him, how bad is that? I have been doing this for 40 years but he has never wanted one with me." Spudman told the BBC he wanted to use his platform to help elevate other small businesses."We are here to support the other traders, we make videos with them, we eat their food, and we try and support as many of them as we possibly can," he said."If you go on my TikTok there are videos from other traders - I love going into other businesses and showing my followers something other than jacket potatoes."We are here to promote, we're not here to take anything away from other people - it's not about us." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
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 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 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 was created by Transformers Car Hire, based in Leicester, which was invited to the show by the county 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 part of this, Sherman Tanks as well as other military vehicles can be tank was designed and built by the United States for World War 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 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 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 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 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." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Crowds turn out for first day of the Suffolk Show 2025
Thousands of people have attended the first day of the Suffolk Show, celebrating the industry, agricultural heritage and culture of the two-day show has taken place in Trinity Park near Ipswich, since 1960 - although the event itself dates back to have come from far and wide to the showground to enjoy displays and competitions as well as sample the best local food and drink. Helen Fomenko, part of the organising team at the Suffolk Agricultural Association for the past 20 years, said the event was "thrilling", but they would soon begin planning next year's event. "It does take a year," she explained."Straight after the show we debrief then we starting thinking about what could we do better, what could we do different, what could we do the same, and it applies to everything from activities, to livestock, to trade stands."Gates open at 07:00 BST and trade stands are available from 08:30 to 18:00 both entry is at 19:00 on Wednesday and 17:30 on Thursday. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
26-05-2025
- BBC News
Suffolk Show 2025 and everything you need to know
Thousands of people are expected to descend on Ipswich as the annual Suffolk Show returns to Trinity Park. The spectacle offers two days of shows, performances, food stalls and much more. What is the Suffolk Show? The Suffolk Show is an annual event that celebrates Suffolk's heritage, culture and industry. It is held at Trinity Park in Ipswich which has hosted the event since 1960, although it actually dates back to will take place on Wednesday and Thursday with gates opening at 07:00 BST and trade stands opening from 08:30 to 18:00 both entry is at 19:00 on Wednesday and 17:30 on Thursday. What can I expect to see at the show? Each day there are events taking place in the various rings where visitors can enjoy showjumping, Shetland pony racing, a BMX show, RAF parachute teams and year will see a Victory 80 display to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe competitions will be held where people will showcase cattle, sheep, dogs and other animals. There are hundreds of food and drink stalls, art and craft tents, wildlife areas, a fun fair and motor area. Volunteers from the Military Trust and the Suffolk Women's Land Army Memorial Trust will be on site in period costumes and there will vehicles from that era to explore. How do I get there? Those travelling by road are encouraged to follow the yellow AA signs that will direct them to parking at Trinity have said there are 120 road signs strategically positioned around the area that will direct have urged drivers that it is essential to follow these rather than sat nav systems. There are three car parks available to visitors for free and there is parking available within each for blue badge those wanting to travel by bus there are regular services available from Ipswich town centre as well as the railway Buses is also running a shuttle service from the station to Trinity Park. Cyclists are able to park their bikes at Gate 1 off the Felixstowe Road entrance and there is also a taxi drop off point in Murrills Road, off the roundabout at Gate will enter through Gate 1 and there is a designated car park for coach driver is admitted free to the show, organisers have said. Where can I get tickets? Tickets are available to book online at a discounted price and are valid for either day, but can only be used once and are non-refundable. An adult ticket online for those aged between 19 and 64 will cost £36.50 while senior citizens, those aged 65 and over, will cost £31.50.A young person ticket for those aged 15 to 18 will cost £14 and a child, those under 14, go free. Will there be road closures? There are not expected to be any nearby road closures during the Suffolk work closely with Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Police to monitor and manage traffic heading to Trinity Park for the event. This year's event will once again see the removal of the traffic island in Felixstowe Road to create a dual lane route to the Bucklesham entrance from the A14/A12 Seven Hills Roundabout. Due to the large number of visitors, traffic is expected to be heavy around the area. How can I follow the event from home? BBC Radio Suffolk will be broadcasting live from the show on both Wayne Bavin at Breakfast show will be live on Wednesday from 06:00 to 10: Sarah Lilley Daytime Show will be live from the Suffolk Show on Thursday, 10:00 to 14:00, followed by the afternoon show presented at the venue by Louise Radio Suffolk's Brenner Woolley from the Blue Hour show and Angelle Joseph from BBC Introducing Suffolk and Norfolk will also be at the event. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Farmers work to get sheep pristine for Suffolk Show
Two farmers have put countless hours into washing, shearing and preening sheep ready for a county Cobbald, 80, is in charge of a farm at Acton Hall near Sudbury, Suffolk, and gets help from his farmhand Amy Byford, pair recently had to choose 28 of their 300-strong flock to present for judging in the upcoming Suffolk Show, but still have a few more days to ensure the sheep are looking year's event, on Wednesday and Thursday at Trinity Park in Ipswich, will be the 64th time Mr Cobbald has presented at the show. The pair explained they first started washing the sheep on Monday."We put them on the stand, Amy washes them and then you have to leave them two or three days. Then I start doing the trimming," Mr Cobbald explained."It's a big day - we've got 28 sheep to wash." Mr Cobbald and Ms Byford look after three breeds of sheep - Suffolk, Texel and Byford, who started looking after sheep four or five years ago, said she found the upcoming showcase "exciting"."I prefer doing the lambs because they're easier to handle," she said."I quite enjoy washing them, getting them tidied up. They look a lot smarter when they're clean."Choosing the sheep was a difficult task, the pair said, but they kept a close eye on the herd over the year to decide which ones to present. Mr Cobbald said the Suffolk Show was his favourite time of year."I hate to think about it, but the first time I went into the ring with a Suffolk sheep at the Suffolk Show was 64 years ago," he said."I've had a lot to do with the show over the years."It's a good show, it's a good day out for anyone who wants to come."Sometimes as farmers you forget that people can't get up close to animals and it gives them the opportunity... to see pigs, cattle, sheep."It's a great thing for them." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
