Organisers of the Derbyshire County Show and Food Fayre have arranged for FREE buses to take visitors to the event, which will take place at Locko Park in Spondon on Sunday, June 24.
There will be four routes heading to the 138th Derbyshire County Show and Food Fayre; one from Derby city centre, a second from Ilkeston, a third from Long Eaton and, finally, one from Sainsbury’s supermarket in Osmaston Park Road.
And, once they’ve enjoyed everything the Show has to offer – including a Dog Show, floral art displays, the J C Balls Dancing Diggers and some of the best food and drink produced in the county – they can hop on one of the free buses and head back home.
The Derbyshire County Show and Food Fayre is expected to attract thousands of people from across the region.
It will remain at its stunning new location in Spondon’s Locko Park, following the success of the 2017 Show, which was held here for the first time in its history, to allow its previous home of Elvaston Showground to recover from flooding in 2016.
Edward Hicklin, chairman of the Derbyshire Agricultural and Horticultural Society, said: “The county show has a very grand history stretching back to 1860 and we have a proud reputation to uphold; staging an event which has something for every member of the family and celebrates all that is good about the countryside on our doorstep.
“Last year’s show was very well attended and Locko Park proved to be a wonderful venue and stunning backdrop.
“However, it was the first time the park had staged an event for 30 years and naturally there were some teething problems around cars getting in and out of the show, hence the decision to organise a fleet of free buses heading to and from the Show.
“If visitors are travelling by car, we will have a different system put in place for 2018 which will mean cars can easily access the site and park without problems, whatever time of day they decide to join us.”
Organisers promise the event will be bigger and better than ever before with the return of a poultry show and the Kennel Club Dog Show.
There will also be a Food Hall at this summer’s Show where visitors can purchase delicious produce, much of it produced here in Derbyshire. As well as cheese and artisan bread, the Derbyshire County Show will also host the award-winning Nelson’s Gin. Their gin is currently on the shelves in Harrods and Waitrose.
There will be plenty of old favourites at the 2018 show which will include livestock displays in the parade ring, heavy horses, vintage cars and tractors, show jumping, light horses, craft stalls and floral displays.
The Derbyshire County Show began life as the Derbyshire Agricultural Show in 1860, when it was established by a group of landowners and farmers led by Dr John Hitchman.
The emphasis has changed over the years from showcasing predominantly agricultural activities and equipment to organising a more all-round day-out for everyone.
Mr Hicklin added: “When a show is staged almost every year for 138 years it has to evolve and move with the times.
“A change in location has allowed us to ring the changes and we can help shape the show so it continues to entertain and educate every member of the family without losing our traditional rural roots.”
Tickets are available online by visiting derbyshirecountyshow.org.uk
Here are the bus routes in full:
Route A (Morledge, Derby city centre – Show): 10am and then every hour until 3pm. Via Station Approach, Railway Terrace, Rail Station, Midland Road, London Road, Raynesway, Church Road, Spondon, Locko Road to Show. Returns at: 12.30pm and half past each hour until 5.30pm.
Route B (Regency Rooms, Wharncliffe Road, Ilkeston – Show): 9.30am. Then via Wharncliffe Drive, Oakwell Drive, Stanton Road, Little Hallam Hill, St Norbets Drive (Cat & Fiddle end), Dallimore Road, Low’s Lane, Town Street in Sandiacre, Longmoor Road, Derby Road, Long Eaton to The Green, Long Eaton. Derby Road, Wilsthorpe Road, Breaston, Draycott Road, Draycott, Nottingham Road, Borrowash, Willowcroft Road, Spondon, Sitwell Street, Chapel Street, Church Street, Locko Road to Show. Returns at: 4pm
Route C (Long Eaton Green – Show): Midday from Long Eaton Green then via Route B to showground. Returns: 4pm and 5.50pm.
Route D (Sainsbury’s, Osmaston Park Road – Show): 11am and 1pm. Sainsbury’s via Oasmaston Park Road, Allenton, Osmaston Road, Chellaston Road, Shelton Lock, High Street, Chellaston, Snelsmoor Lane, A6, Shardlow Road, Blue Peter, Raynesway, Church Street, Spondon, Locko Road to Show. Returns: 3pm and 5pm.
If you would like to be involved in the 2018 event please contact Show Secretary Anne James by emailing info@derbyshirecountyshow.org.uk
ENDS
For further information please contact Kerry Ganly at Penguin PR on 01332 416228 or email kerry@penguin.co.uk
