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Crowds turn out for 50th county show
CROWDSflocked to theKent Showground for a three-day celebration of all things Kentish.
This year’s Kent County Show at- tracted more visitors than the 2013 event when just under 75,000 peo- ple turned out. A spokesman for the Kent Agri- cultural Society said: “We are ab- solutely delighted thatwe had such a great turnout when the weather forecast had been so unpre- dictable.”The show got off to a soggy start on Friday with drizzle falling most of the day, but bright sunshine drew the crowds during the rest of the weekend for the show’s 50th anniversary at the site in Detling. Visitors enjoyed the animal shows, admired floral and fruit dis- plays, tasted traditional Kentish produce, browsed craft and trade stalls andwere entertained by mor-
ris dancers, a 25m pole-climbing contest and Titan the Robot. There was plenty to see, with
nine themed areas, a main ring, tra- ditional funfair and six food courts. Arena displays included the
band of the Corps of the Royal En- gineers, the Imps Motor Cycle Dis- play Team and James Dylan Stuntworld, as well as livestock, hounds and heavy horses parades, Pony Club games and heritage ve- hicles.
Among the visitors on the first
day was the Duke of Kent, who is patron of the Kent County Agricul- tural Society. He officially opened the new Maidstone Exhibition Hall, a purpose-built exhibition and con- ference place, before taking a tour of the show.
Fred Hepper, of Maidstone-based Mid-Kent Fuchsia Group
News
Kits Coty Morris entertains at the county show
Cream of crop MEREWORTH soft fruit farmer Marion Regan was delighted when her Baby Jubilee strawber- ries, grown at Hugh Lowe Farms, were judged the tastiest at the show.
Vast exhibition hall opens
THE new Maidstone Exhibition Hall, with a capacity for about 5,000 people, was officially opened at the Kent Showground, Detling, by the Duke of Kent. The 3024sqm building is 72m long and 42m wide and adds to other buildings in the complex that can hold 3,000 and 2,000 people. Part of the new building was used for the Kent Show and provided
Christine Goodey, show secretary of Maidstone Horticultural Society, with a group entry
a large area for various traders. It also hosted the president’s lunch and a dining area for Kent County Agricultural Society members. It is ex- pected to attract large conferences and trade gatherings to the show- ground.
Flats conversion Man rescued from river aer fire drama
OFFICES in Kent House, Romney Place, Maidstone may be converted into 92 flats. The scheme would enable the ground floor and floors one to seven to all become residential. Maidstone Council will decide whether to validate a development notification notice, which would bypass the planning process.
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A MAN had to be rescued from the fast-flowing river Medway near Maidstone after accidentally setting himself alight on a bon- fire. It is believed the man, said to
be in his 50s, poured petrol onto a bonfire at a caravan park near East Farleigh bridge. Highly flammable vapours
from the petrol ignited and flashed up in to the man’s face and clothing. The man then jumped in to the river to try to
put out the flames. Firefighters are now warning
other residents about the dangers of using petrol on bonfires to avoid any similar incidents. South East Coast Ambulance
staff dragged the man to safety and, along with fire crews, treated him for about 10% burns. He was then taken to hospital
for further checks. Maidstone watch manager Do-
minic Moore said: “In this case, the water from the river helped
to extinguish the fire and may have prevented further burn in- juries.
“However, by jumping in, the
man put himself in yet further danger. “Rivers can be far deeper than
they look, with unseen hazards and dangerous currents. Also, the water can be very cold, no matter how warm the weather, which can quickly cause cramp and breathing difficulties, making it harder to get out unaided.”
Maidstone Town August 2014 33
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