The Heathfield Agricultural Show Preview 2018

25th May

This year The Heathfield Agricultural Show will expect to welcome 18,000 visitors to the show ground for one intense day of activity.

If you are thinking of visiting there really is something for everyone at the show. Apart from the usual funfair and burger vans there will be an array of themed exhibition tents, competition and show rings and displays.

So pull on your wellies, pack a picnic and your wallet and come and enjoy all that the show has to offer.

Parking is FREE in either of the two large car parks adjacent to the show ground and admission on the door is £17 for adults with under 16s FREE. Open from 8am to 5.15pm on Saturday 26 May 2018.

We have put together a Show Preview  to give you a flavour of what is to come. Here are the highlights:

The New Enterprise Zone 

The New Enterprise Zone is home to a group of hand picked new businesses who, in the face of tough competition, have won a stand at the show.  Local businesses in the past such as Hidden SpringWanted on Voyage and Kennedy Chimney Sweeps have all benefited from this initiative and found it a huge help in launching their enterprises. In fact, Wanted on Voyage and Kennedy Sweeps have stands at the show this year.

FeelAliveAgri

Situated near the Red Gate you will find a host of new businesses including Off the Line Vineyard with their delicious Rose, Pony Portraits, Cuckoo Flower Company, Beagles Candles, Yoga Bee, 1066 Mowers, FeelAliveAgri,Kent and Sussex Shooting School and of course ourselves The Heathfield News. We will be offering FREE photo fun with the Diamond Photobooth Company on our stand all day.

COME AND SAY HELLO.

 

 

 

 

 

Farmers Market & Food Marquee

Busters Farm Produce

The Farmers’ Markets provides a great opportunity for producers to sell directly to the public. People love shopping at Farmers’ Markets – it’s the only place that they can talk directly to producers about exactly how the food they are about to eat has been produced.  The Farmers’ Market at the Heathfield Show is a dedicated area of the showground where local producers come and sell their produce.

The stalls range from bread, to meat including game, smoked meats and charcuterie, to honey, fresh raw milk, local cheeses, locally produced cider and wine, asparagus and a delicious selection of confectionery and cakes and an array of condiments.  The Heathfield Show works in conjunction with the Heathfield Farmers’ Market to promote our local farmers.

 

Food Marquee

In addition to the Farmers Market there is a Food Marquee selling an eclectic mix of foods including cheeses, pies, curry kits, sausages, sweets and toffees and a selection of drinks companies selling, gin, wine and liqueurs. Plenty to choose from. If you are hungry on the day there are takeaway food stalls sited at the show ground supplying all the usual fayre.

There will be lots of delicious goodies to taste and buy.

Arts & Crafts Tent

The Heathfield Show, one of the biggest agricultural shows of its kind, is celebrating creativity with the introduction this year of a new arts & crafts tent. It will showcase unique, handcrafted designs and products to a wide-reaching audience in one enticing marketplace. The range of crafts people has been extended with a bigger and better selection of 30 exhibitors from wood crafts and metal smiths, ceramics and textiles, through to artists and photographers.

Have you ever wanted a portrait of your home or perhaps your pet? If so you can see the work of Eli Ofir at the show and have a chat about commissioning a portrait of your home or Louise Birch Art if you would like your pet captured in a work of art. If that isn’t what you are looking for then among the 30 exhibitors you will find an eclectic mix of established and more unusual crafts to tempt you

Country Ways 

Country Ways at the Heathfield Show is a celebration of traditional, rural crafts and working practices many of which are being kept alive by dedicated enthusiasts. There will be the opportunity to see displays in the arena from 10am til 4.15pm.

The majestic heavy horses from Tony Parks of Ninfield will be put through their paces, as will the Birds of Prey from Sussex Falconry of Mayfield.There will be a Gun Dog Display by the United Retriever Club (Southern Area) and the Sussex Young Farmer Club will be staging a cheeky terriers race.

If Vintage Tractors are your thing then don’t miss the SEVAC Vintage Tractor Display at 12.15

Alongside the action you will be able to see a range of rural craft demonstrations in the Marquee. Here is a highlight of what you will be able to see. In addition there will also be: bee keeping; forestry; fly dressing and fishing; hedge laying; pencil drawing; sign writing; spinning stained glass; thatching; masonry wood carving; walking stick making and a hurdle maker.

Education

The Education Area reflects the sentiments and commitment of the Heathfield Show Council when it was first set up in 1947, which was to encourage and advance the knowledge of the countryside to others. The area, sponsored by Tottingworth Farm, host to the Heathfield Show, is designed to educate and inform children and adults alike about the provenance of meat and the important part farming plays in delivering food to our tables.

Both the Sussex Young Farmers and Plumpton College have stands supporting the area.

Micro Brewery

360 degree beerKindly organised by 360° Brewery of Sheffield Park, this tent features seven guest breweries. These are Gun Brewery, Downlands Brewery, Long Man Brewery, Greyhound Brewery, Ballards Brewery, Firebird Brewing Company and 360 Degree Brewing.

Flower Tent

A popular feature of the show. There are competitions and hard won prizes for a range of categories of floral and green displays.

Livestock Shows

Farmers and breeders from all over the country come to the show to compete for a trophies and rosettes. There are numerous breeds of cattle, pigs and sheep which have been lovingly cleaned and brushed to make sure they look their very best for the judges. Come and see how the handlers work with these animals, especially the huge cattle and you will be amazed at how calm and magnificent the animals look in the ring.

Poultry

Visit the poultry marquee for an opportunity to cuddle a chicken.  Designed to educate as well as to be fun, the poultry marquee will be an area of interest for everyone.

Large fenced off runs will predominate in this marquee dressed with trees, plants, furniture for groups of poultry to wander around in.  There will be a display of fancy pigeons and there will be a children’s colouring corner with outlines of chickens, ducks to be decorated. You can also to purchase birds at the show.

Equestrian

The Heathfield Show has built up a brilliant reputation over the past few decades as a first-class venue for many show qualifiers attracting top- class exhibitors. There are 90 horse classes over the day with almost 600 entries each year. Classes start early in the morning with six dedicated equine rings showing horses and ponies both in hand and ridden, from miniatures to heavy horse, from carriage driving to side saddle. Visitors can watch a full program of competitions throughout the day.

Motorbike Display and Human Tractor Pull

The Imps motorcycle teamTwo events you should try to catch are the Imps motorbike display and the human tractor pull. Check the timetable for these and other excitements during the day.

The Imps are a motorcycle team of young adults performing routines around the world to millions of people for over 40 years.

Trade Stands

With over 200 trade stands each year ranging from agricultural dealerships, machinery, services and specialists, food, crafts, bespoke goods, clothing and gifts, equine and livestock products, there are just too many reasons to mention for you to attend our show.

Vintage Tractors

An absolute must. Come and visit the vintage tractor and steam area to see an array of makes and models dating as far back as the 1940s. From Fordsons and Field Marshalls to Massey Fergusons and John Deeres, there’s something for everyone to see. Step further back in time and smell the distinctive aroma of steam coal from the traction engines, with the rare opportunity to see these huge machines in full steam.

WI

A highlight for all lovers of cake will be the Heffle WI Stand – the location for the “Heffle WI Great Heathfield Show Bake Off” in which show visitors will be invited to come and try cakes baked by WI members and to vote for their favourite. The winner of which will be the recipient of the coveted sparkly whisk!  There will be information on what the WI do and if you’ve ever thought about joining the WI you can come and have a chat. They are a fun and friendly bunch who always have a laugh.

In addition we would also like to thank all the sponsors who generously give to ensure the future of The Heathfield Agricultural Show every year.

Foresters Estate Agents

Harveys Brewery

Agrifactors Southern

PJ Skips

Jeremy Courtney

Warners Solicitors

Freeman & Foreman

County Insurance Services

The Heathfield News

Littlewood

Fairlight Hall

Crawfords

SGE (Seal)Ltd