Kenilworth Show will have Royal significance

The 69th annual Kenilworth Show will take place on Saturday June 2 – the weekend of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Organisers of the Kenilworth and District Agricultural Show are calling on people across rural areas in the county to help showcase farming tools and machinery from the 1950s and the present day when the event returns to Stoneleigh showground.

Show secretary Penny Poulter said: “This year’s event will be all the more special as it ties in with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

“The show has grown since we moved to our new site two years ago – and we are making this year’s event that much more special to mark the special occasion.”

She added: “One big feature will be to contrast the agricultural industry 60 years ago when the Queen came to the throne, with how it is today.

“Not only have farming practices been totally transformed, but the level of technology and the size of it is almost unrecognisable.

“Many of our members were farming in the 50s but to most people, the practices and machinery of those days are not familiar. We thought it would be interesting to use this landmark to highlight the advances which have been made.”

Visitors will have the chance to get involved in the show with activities including grinding their own flour and milking cows. Ms Poulter said: “The show has been going since 1944, but this is the first time we have decided to double our prize money in all our competitions so hopefully we will have a bumper crop of entries as well as a large attendance.”

Along with all the usual classes, the show will feature a wide range of homecraft competitions, trade stands, attractions and other family activities.

Anyone who has any agricultural equipment from the early 1950s which they would like to feature in the show, or anyone wishing to exhibit should email [email protected] or call 024 7704 2534.