Perfect Suffolk Show weather brought tens of thousands of visitors to Trinity Park on the edge of Ipswich for the first day of the county’s most prestigious event.
Fears of morning rain proved fruitless, although overnight rain had softened the ground slightly making it easier for visitors walking around the show ground.
Show director Bee Kemball, organising the event for her second year, said she was thrilled by all aspects of the first day which she felt would prove to be as successful as last year.
She said: “We really couldn’t have planned it better. We water and mow the grass to make sure the showground is at its best but that rain in the early hours really freshened up the place and ensured there was no dust.”
The temperature was also ideal – it wasn’t hot enough to persuade potential visitors to head to the coast instead and the light cloud cover during most of the day meant people were not desperate to find shade.
Mrs Kemball said: “My husband asked me what I had done to make the conditions so perfect!”
The doubts over the weather may have delayed some people heading to the Suffolk Show – early morning numbers did not seem as great as in some years but by early afternoon the Park was as full as anyone could remember.
This year visitors had an extra tool to use as they visited the park. The new Suffolk Show smartphone app went live for the first time giving people the information they needed at their fingertips.
It also had a special Treasure Trail for people to follow on their way around the show – highlighting features they may otherwise have missed and even offering a prize draw for one lucky participant.
The app was developed by Suffolk-based SmartNE and is the first of its type for an agricultural show – it has previously specialised in map apps for town centres and universities.
It was developed in partnership with the Suffolk Agricultural Association, BT, Chronicle Digital Storytelling, Suffolk County Council and West Suffolk College.
The dull weather in the early morning and slower arrival of visitors may have helped to keep traffic heading to the showground moving well.
During the afternoon Suffolk Police said they had been very pleased with the way traffic had made its way to Trinity Park. While it had been slower than on non-show days, the overwhelming majority of drivers followed the signs to appropriate car parks and vehicles continued to move.
A spokesman for the police said they hoped for a repeat on Thursday as more people headed to Trinity Park for the second day.
Mrs Kemball said the innovations this year seemed to be working well with the show retaining its traditional feel: “I’m particularly struck by the quality of the trade stands this year. Stand holders really do love and take pride in their spaces during the show.”
The amount of sponsorship had increased – and she was confident that when organisers looked back this year’s show would represent a new high water-mark.
She was also proud of the schools’ Gardens of Remembrance commemorating the end of the First World War – a class won by St Mary’s School in Woodbridge.
Mrs Kemball said: “It is so important that we remember the sacrifices made and it is so good to see that schools have been taking part in projects like this to keep the memories alive.”
Events in the Grand Ring were dominated by familiar show favourites including show jumping, coaches, and scurry racing.
But one of the most popular was the return of the Bold Dog Lings motorcycle stunt team which has become a clear favourite with many show-goers.
Their two performances brought the crowds out – as did the Grand Parade towards the end of the afternoon as prize-winners were shown off to the visitors.
While the show retains agriculture at its heart, trade stands and exhibitions reflected all aspects of life in Suffolk – there is even a place for vintage fairground rides.
Mrs Kemball will be director for three shows, this year’s is her second. Planning for next year will start next week once Trinity Park has been cleared on Friday.
She said: “As I go around the showground I make a list of things that I think could be changed or tweaked – but we don’t change things for the sake of it.
“If something works well we will change it if we can make it even better and we will be asking other people how they think it worked and what should happen next year.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here