Rural heritage comes to life at Newark
Since its inception at the 2008 Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show, the Native and Rare Breeds Exhibition has proved a real knock-out with visitors. This year (13 and 14 November) sees a return of several old favourites and many additional attractions showcasing life in the rural community.
British Isles native species will be represented by cattle, sheep, pigs, heavy horses, ponies and poultry; the Norfolk Horn Sheep is one of the oldest breeds in the UK and helped to found the wool industry in East Anglia. Other native breeds of sheep on display will be Lincolnshire Longwools, Southdown, Galway and Shetland.
Doe-eyed Jerseys will be among the dairy cows which include the popular Holstein while beef cattle are well represented with Dexter, Lincoln Red, Belted Galloway, Hereford, Highland and more.
The heritage exhibition will be a journey of discovery for the young and bring back memories for many of the older generation; demonstrations will include milking – and follow the actions of turning milk into butter and cheese and the step-by-step process to have a go at baking delicious home-made bread – from field to plate!
There will be many different breeds of native horses and ponies; from the hardy little Exmoor to the gentle giants of the equine world, Shires, Percherons and Clydesdales, plus the very rare Caspian Horse and Cleveland breeds.
Heavy horses are still used by many breweries to deliver beer locally and Newark is delighted to welcome the National Brewery Centre based at Burton on Trent which is attending with Shires and its barrel dray. Scotlands native heavy horse, the Clydesdale, will also be at the show by kind permission of Mr Combe. Travelling all the way from Lanarkshire, Mr Combes Windyknowe Team will be bringing a filly foal, a 2 year old colt and an experienced driven Clydesdale put to a landau an elegant vehicle similar to the one used by HM The Queen.
Newark is also pleased to welcome three of the largest mules in the UK who are attending the event for the first time a real sight to see; mules are still used as beasts of burden in many countries, particularly in war zones.
Other demonstrations and displays include the use of pet hair to weave into clothing, wool weavers, traditional stick making, wood carving, working ferrets, the Barn Owl Project and a whole raft of farming bygones and tools including one of the largest collections of hessian sacks.
The Exhibition is an integral part of the main show which this year is on target to beat all previous entry records. Feature tractors for 2010 will be David Brown and Case, with well over 160 exhibits already booked in. Over 800 vehicles, from tractors, land rovers and military transport to commercial vans and lorries will fill every available corner of Newarks exhibition halls and specially-erected marquees.
Newark & Nottinghamshire Showground is readily accessible from the A1, A17 and A46 at Newark. The majority of displays and exhibits are under cover and hot and cold food is available at a number of outlets around the venue.
Visitors can purchase discounted tickets in advance (saving 2.00 on admission price). Children under-17 will be admitted free of charge (provided they are accompanied by a responsible adult) so at just 6.00 per adult (8.00 on the gate) the Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show is truly an inexpensive day out for all the family. Buy online at www.newarkshowground.com or by calling 01636 705796.
Gates will be open from 9.00am until 5.00pm on Saturday and 9.00am until 3.30pm on Sunday.
For further information contact: Sally Hughes, Show & Event Manager
Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society
Tel: 01636 705796 or email: sally@newarkshowground.com