Sunshine, stunt bikes, sheepdogs and a 13ft dinosaur – the Spring Show felt as though it truly arrived this weekend.
Now in its third year, today’s event at Birch Lane Showground, Puddletown was easily the biggest and best yet – packed with crowds, food, entertainment and the sort of atmosphere that properly kicks off Dorset’s outdoor season.
Although it’s run by the same team, don’t mistake it for a mini Dorset County Show: it has a completely different feel. This isn’t an agri event, there’s no large livestock area (though there is the Spring Farm, with enough lambs, piglets and chicks for every child – and grown-up), and instead it’s all about the trade stands, the ring acts and simply kicking back and having a good time.
We arrived early enough to grab a coffee and sausage baguette with ease (breakfast on the showground is a Dorset Life show day tradition – we love to sit and watch as everything gradually gets busier). The trade stands were many and varied, and we soon lost a good few hours wandering among them. The two giant food halls were filled with produce and, of course, taste tests were obligatory (we came away with sausage rolls, cheese and two bottles of gin, all locally made).
For entertainment, Jamie Squibbs’ stunt bike act was incredible – the entire crowd stopped and held its breath at the sheer height he achieved with his somersaults and flips through the air. Just as entertaining (though perhaps not quite as adrenaline-fuelled) was the sheepdog display, herding a small bunch of exceedingly reluctant goats, and later the gundog display. Shetland Pony racing has no right to be as fun as it is – there’s something both endearing and exciting about the chunky little ponies with their small jockeys hurtling around at breakneck speed (or simply choosing not to, today, thank you). We also stopped to watch the fire juggler, and the 13ft dinosaur had a crowd of very happy, roaring children whenever he appeared.
With everything on offer, the Demo Tent might not be the first stop you make, but the Love Local Trust Local talk was fascinating – and delicious, with samples of all the food being discussed. If you’re there tomorrow, don’t miss it.
In the afternoon, the NFU discussion proved again that the Demo Tent is a great place to stop for a sit-down – we learned a lot listening to the farmers’ debate.
Lunch options were plentiful and varied – of course there was the traditional showground ‘dirty burger’ options, but there was also souvlaki, noodles, hog roast, kebabs, burritos … though we noted that many families had opted to keep costs down and bring their own picnics, spreading out on the grass in patches of shade or under the picnic marquee.
The Heavy Horse Village is not to be missed, of course, and it’s lovely to be able to walk right along the stable doors and get up close to everyone’s favourite giants. The chicken tent was ridiculously busy – not surprising once you see them with their mad hair days. And we of course didn’t miss the crafts tent – the animals made out of vegetables were magnificent, and frankly the aubergine penguin was robbed. We didn’t take the steam engine trailer rides (though we watched it puffing back and forth all day), nor did we try the pottery, the circus skills or catch the axemen. We had a great day out – and it’s on again tomorrow, Sunday 10th. Gates open at 9am.
