Thousands of people are expected to turn out for the best in traditional countryside pursuits and spectacular showground entertainment at this Sunday’s 140th Derbyshire County Show.
Dozens of volunteers have been busy transforming the 56-acre site at Elvaston Showground to accommodate more than 1,000 animals and 500 different breeds from bees to bulls.
Although the show is a true celebration of rural life, it is also a celebration of family life – with something for every member of the family.
Young farmer winning a prize for his award-winning cattle.
And this year the show is more interactive than ever before with visitors invited to enter a lemon drizzle cake to find out who is star baker, while children can enter a decorated or painted hardboiled egg competition.
In the main ring there will equestrian display teams, a gundog display, a parade of heavy horses as well as two death-defying performances from Stanage Stunt Team.
While performances from the Ukrainian Hoverla Dance Ensemble are likely to be a crowd-pleaser at this year’s show.
There will also be Shetland pony racing, giant tortoises and a performance from the lumberjack sports team the Welsh Axemen.
Shetland pony racing.
Children can take alpacas for a walk, enjoy fairground rides, enter their faithful friends in the companion dog show and even go on a donkey ride.
While foodies will enjoy sampling the wares of some of the best producers in the region with companies including Project D, the MilkShake Shack, Tori and Ben’s Farm and Yiannis Greek Restaurant attending the show.
There will also be craft and trade stalls, floral displays and homemade cakes and jams from the Women’s Institute as well as a superb selection of vintage cars, from the majestic Rolls-Royce to the humble Austin 7, a parade of tractors, lorries, steam engines, machinery and motorcycles from a bygone era, which have been lovingly restored by genuine enthusiasts.
The show’s chairman Edward Hicklin said: “Preparations are well underway and the forecast is looking good so we are hoping for a really successful show this year.
“We have so much on offer for all the family – even the family dog has been catered for. We’ve had plenty of enquiries about our baking contest and we’re looking forward to receiving lots of lemon cakes on the day.
“But most importantly, we hope that the people of Derbyshire and further afield turn out for us. We work incredibly hard to make the show work – and we are all volunteers – so we look forward to greeting as many people as possible on Sunday.”
*Tickets purchased in advance cost £10 for adults, while entrance for accompanied under-16s is free of charge. Tickets can be bought online by visiting the Derbyshire County Show website.
A map of the show.
Panel: Youngsters invited to get cracking with decorated eggs
Children are being invited to enter a competition at this year’s Derbyshire County Show and they could win free tickets to next year’s event.
Judges are looking for painted and decorated hard boiled eggs in a contest open to children aged under 12 years old.
There are two categories to enter, the first is a painted egg – you can freestyle and paint it however you want. The second is to decorate the egg in order to transform it into something else – such as a bird, animal or minion.
Eggs should be taken to the Poultry Tent by 10.30am on show day and judging will be at 12noon. The results will be announced by 2pm in the main ring.
The winning eggs in both categories will receive family tickets to next year’s Derbyshire County Show.
Panel: The Great Derbyshire County Show Bake-off Competition
Is someone in your house a Star Baker? This year the judges at the Derbyshire County Show are inviting visitors to get involved by entering a baking competition.
They are looking for e are hosting our very own Bake Off contest. All you need to do is following this recipe for Lemon Drizzle Cake, bring it to the show, and see if you win! Even if you don’t – you can still have your cake and eat it!
All you have to do to enter is follow the recipe below and bring your finished cake to the Secretary’s Tent by 11am on Sunday. The results will be announced by 2pm in the main ring.
Recipe for Lemon Drizzle Cake
Ingredients:
225g/8oz unsalted butter, softened,
225g/8oz caster sugar
4 eggs,
225g/8oz self-raising flour,
1 lemon, zested,
For the drizzle topping:
1½ lemons, juiced,
85g/3oz caster sugar
Method: Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Beat together the butter and caster sugar until pale and creamy, then add the eggs, one at a time, slowly mixing through. Sift in the self-raising flour, then add the lemon zest and mix until well combined. Line a loaf tin (8 x 21cm) with greaseproof paper, then spoon in the mixture and level the top with a spoon. Bake for 45-50 mins until a thin skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.
While the cake is cooling in its tin, mix together the lemons juice and caster sugar to make the drizzle. Prick the warm cake all over with a skewer or fork, then pour over the drizzle – the juice will sink in and the sugar will form a lovely, crisp topping. Leave in the tin until completely cool, then remove and serve. Will keep in an airtight container for 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 1 month.
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