Society News
BOOKING FORM FOR OFFICIAL LUNCHEONS
Official Luncheons will be held on two days of the Show, Friday 16 July and Saturday 17 July. The President and the Chairman of the Society will host these Luncheons, which will also be attended by the Society’s guests and sponsors. On Friday 16 July the guest speaker will be Mariann Fischer Boel and on Saturday we will be joined by Ann Widdecombe.
Members may purchase tickets for the luncheon for themselves and guests. Come on your own, bring a friend or why not book a whole table. Early application is advised as numbers are limited. Ticket applications will be dealt with on a strictly ‘first come, first served’ basis.
The price of £49.95 each includes reception drink, a three course meal and wine at the table.
Dress – lounge suits, ladies are invited to wear hats.
To book tickets, please contact Alison Wallington on 01622 630975 or email alison@kentshowground.co.uk
Members Trip to Arras
Members and friends of the Kent County Agricultural Society set off in awful weather on Friday 11th June to attend the Arras Biannual Agricultural Show. Despite the weather the party was very comfortable on the luxury coach provided by Plan IT Travel of Orpington.
Starting out at 6am from the Showground the group tucked into ham rolls and currant buns for breakfast, provided as part of the trip. The coach party took the opportunity to take a short detour to the Vimy Ridge Memorial. James Edwards, who leads battle field tours was extremely knowledgeable and was able to explain in detail about the Battle that took place in 1917.
Situated north of Paris, Arras is the venue for the renowned Terres en Fete a biennial Show that welcomes professionals and the general public to the 3 day event set in 25 ha. There were 70,000 visitors in 2008, including 6000 children, 352 exhibitors, 126 breeds and 400 animals.
On arrival the group was welcomed by the Director of the Show before looking around the magnificent French produce stalls and excellent display of cattle including Brown Swiss, Blonde d’Aquitaine, Bleu Du Nord, Holstein and others. Visitors to the event are also treated to impressive displays of pigs, sheep, feathered friends and rabbits. The Show concentrates on excellent stalls showing children the importance of quality food. Members of the Society were able to sit in the sun and were provided with chicken or mussels and chips with plenty of wine.
The Show has no permanent buildings on the site and two enormous marquees are provided to house all the livestock. It is a very busy Show that showcases the region and has a strong agricultural element and a typically French rural feel to it. The Kent County Agricultural Society Members were made really welcome and if we repeat the exercise in 2012, we hope more members will be able to join us.
The arrival back was a little later than expected due to one or two delays but on reflection it was a really wonderful day out. A big thank you goes to the office staff who made many of the arrangements and to James Edwards whose support and contacts in France made the day all the more memorable.