New Forest Show special
A roundup of the incredible three-day event during record temperatures.
This week, Brockenhurst welcomed thousands of visitors to New Forest & Hampshire County Show, one of the largest agricultural shows in the UK.
An expected 95,000 visitors were set to attend the three-day event despite experiencing the hottest temperatures of the year.
Blacksmiths, equestrians, flower arrangers, and livestock were among the competitors at the show along with 2,500 animals and 40 acres of showground to explore.
New attractions for 2024 included headliner Bolddog FMX from tv show Britain’s Got Talent, acrobatic circle skills from Motionhouse Dance, local bands stage and ‘Wonder of Wood’ showcasing forestry skills with Sparsholt College.
The army music’s newest group Army Engagement Ensemble also dazzled visitors with their incredible performances.
Peter Cousin, Head of Business Development and Marketing for the show, said: “The show has been a huge success, we’ve had great feedback from the visitors as well as the hundreds of businesses trading at the show.
“It was great to watch the crowd as the Bolddog FMX team took to the main ring, watching old and young, seasoned show visitors and first-time visitors all transfixed by the motorbike stunts being performed in front of them.”
Over 500 businesses exhibited at the show with a wide range of local companies including;
New Forest Marque
Stride New Forest Honey
820 spirits
The New Forest Tartan Company
The Beaulieu Candle Company
Brock Ice
Rosie Lea House
New Forest Tea Company
Brockenhurst College
Avon Tyrrell Outdoor Centre
Aaron Lawford, Chairman of the show, said: “The show holds a special place in the hearts of all who call this beautiful corner of the world home.
“The New Forest and Hampshire County Show is more than an event; it reflects who we are as a community. An opportunity to come together and celebrate the bonds that unite us.”
The New Forest Marque, a scheme to support local businesses, celebrated its twentieth anniversary in the Local Produce Area. Of their 178 members, 18 exhibited at the show.
The New Forest National Park Authority announced winners of the 2024 New Forest Awards during the show.
Cottage Lodge Hotel in Brockenhurst won ‘best supporter of local produce’ and The Farmers Butcher in Bramshaw was ‘highly commended’.
Our ‘monthly briefing’ roundup of business-related news will be out as usual next week.
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