More than 500 exhibitors get ready for 139th Lincolnshire Show

Final preparations are being made across Lincolnshire and beyond for one of the most successful and longest-running agricultural shows in the country.

The Lincolnshire Show attracts around 60,000 visitors and this year will see over 500 exhibitors putting on a show of their own. From local craftspeople to the county’s largest companies, as well as a range of charities and the emergency services, the Show is a real celebration of Lincolnshire life.

As a traditional county show, the main focus is on agriculture, and this year the Lincolnshire Show will see over 2,460 entries compete in its livestock and equine classes.

Hayley Williamson from Red House Farm, near Woodhall Spa, has been preparing her cattle and sheep for the Show since October and it will be her third time exhibiting after having visited every year since she was a child.

Hayley Williamson from Red House Farm said:

“I love the whole thing. As a visitor, it’s a chilled day out and you’ll see the livestock being brushed and cleaned, but you don’t see the months of clipping, bathing and hard work that’s been going on behind the scenes. My cattle have had more baths than I have!

“Showing is very much a way to get your face out there and show what you can offer and produce on your farm – it’s about promoting yourself and your herd. With this being on our home turf, it means a lot more than any other show. There’s no better feeling than walking around that grand parade with your winning cow and a sash.”

For Cote Hill Cheese near Market Rasen, 2024 will mark 10 years since the company first exhibited at the Lincolnshire Show. The family-run dairy is maturing several cheeses to bring to the Show, including Snowdrop, a small, mould-ripened fresh cheese that was named Supreme Champion at the British Cheese Awards in March.

Co-owner of Cote Hill Cheese, Michael Davenport, said:

“We’re making lots of our Cote Hill Blue and Snowdrop cheese especially for the Show and we have others that have been maturing for between three and seven months. We bring plenty of cheese so we never run out during the Show. Financially, it’s very rewarding for us but it’s also about meeting customers and there’s a good social side to it too. Lots of people we meet at the Show come to see us another time, so it has a positive impact long after the Show ends each year.”

A local business appearing at the Lincolnshire Show for the first time is The Spanish Boot Company which will have a stand in The Mews area of the Show. The team of three will be bringing between 200 and 300 pairs of boots, including new designs that will be revealed for the first time at the Show.

Co-owner of The Spanish Boot Company, Michael Davison, said:

“We’re a husband and wife team and we’ve been preparing for the Show for months. We’re under pressure but it’s great fun. We’re bringing 11 styles of boots, including four brand-new styles we’ve been designing since Christmas. Handcrafted in Spain, they’re fashionable boots with sturdy soles and expert craftsmanship to withstand real-world use in the countryside. They’re being made right now and I can’t wait for people to see them for the first time at the Lincolnshire Show.

“I’ve grown up with the Lincolnshire Show and I’m a member of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society that runs it. My nephews are young farmers and my brother-in-law is a Steward, so it’s a big part of our lives. I think it’s an amazing thing, it’s lots of fun and I’m excited to be exhibiting for the first time.”

Meanwhile, agricultural machinery dealer Peacock & Binnington, which is celebrating its 130th anniversary this year, has been exhibiting at almost every Lincolnshire Show since it was founded.

Sadie Richardson, Office Manager at Peacock & Binnington, said:

“We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors to our Lincolnshire Show stand as we celebrate 130 years. Our dedicated Show team starts preparations early to make sure visitors have the best experience. We’ve attended every Show since 1898 as we truly value the opportunity to greet customers past and present.

“This year, we have a team of experts providing short talks to the public and school visitors to provide an insight into the amazing technologies and farming techniques used today, compared to when Peacock & Binnington set out in 1894. You can also take a look at our brand-new tractors and implements, including the latest AGCO engine. We look forward to seeing you!”

As well as the exhibitors themselves, a wide range of events and activities are being prepared for all the family. This includes a brand-new Garden Show and a beach, as well as a dog and duck show, live music on the bandstand and the Lincolnshire Kitchen, which will see chefs and producers from the county showcasing their specialities.

There will also be a huge range of food and drink on offer, with Lincoln-based Ferry Ales Brewery which has been preparing for the last six months.

Founder and owner of Ferry Ales Brewery, John Cussons, said:

“We’ve always believed that as a Lincolnshire business that celebrates being based in the county, we have to be at the Show. We started the business in October 2016 and have done the Show ever since. It certainly helped us establish our brand in the early days and we have customers who come back year after year looking for us. This year we will be running our normal bar plus Stockmans Restaurant where we’re partnering with The Good Grub Co. who are also based in Lincoln, so we’re going to need a lot more beer than last year!”

The Lincolnshire Show takes place on 19th and 20th June 2024 at the Lincolnshire Showground, north of Lincoln. Tickets can be purchased from www.lincolnshireshow.co.uk, booking fees apply.

The Show is organised by the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society, a registered charity whose aims are to educate the local community about food, farming and the countryside. Profits from the Show go towards supporting educational work that engages more than 15,000 local school children each year and the Show would not be possible without the support of its sponsors who are listed at www.lincolnshireshow.co.uk/sponsors.

For the latest news and information about Lincolnshire Show, visit the Show website and follow @Lincsshowground on Instagram, @LincolnshireShowground on Facebook, @lincs.showground on TikTok, @LincsShow on X, and @LincsShowground on YouTube.