Published: November 20, 2022 | Updated: 9th January 2023
Dorset’s annual Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show is to become a two-day event in 2023.
Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Society has decided to extend the renowned agricultural show to ensure its continued success.
The show, which takes place at the Turnpike Showground in Motcombe, will be on Wednesday August 16 and Thursday August 17, 2023.
This year’s event saw a record number of visitors attend with over 25,000 on one day.
They enjoyed the livestock parades, agricultural and countryside exhibits, equestrian events, vintage machinery and cars, live bands, parachute team, motorbike stunt displays along with many other attractions.
As well as a day out for the public, the show is an important date in the calendar for farmers and those in the agricultural industry.
It allows them to come together for networking and business opportunities.
More than 85 agricultural businesses took part this year.
A dedicated agricultural and rural section was created for the first time on all four sides of the main show ring.
Like many other rural events, the show was hit by ever increasing logistical costs.
Turning the greenfield showground into a large scale event is no easy operation.
Record numbers also meant demand for extra car parking, incurring additional costs created by sourcing space from local landowners.
Giles Simpson, Show Chairman, pictured, who is also a local farmer and agronomist, said: “Despite the challenges of an incredibly dry and hot summer, the show was a huge success this year on all levels.
“However, running a one-day show is a risk and bringing all of this together for a single day is costly and even more so if it rains on that day.
“The two-day show will see us take it to a new and even more exciting level in our region.
“We’ve done the maths and our decision to make the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show a two-day event will help us make it more cost-effective and even more financially viable by spreading the running costs over two days.
“It will also allow us to implement risk management strategies and fulfil our commitment to secure the future of this much-loved annual event.”
The Society plans to keep the show entry price competitive with the assurance that daily ticket prices will remain under £20 per person and early-bird discounts will be available for £13.
