This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
News


downsmail.co.uk Show boasts the best in Kent


THE Kent County Show in Detling attracted 77,000 visitors over three days – up 2,000 on the previous year’s turnout. In spite of the hotweather and Op- eration Stack in operation on the Fri- day, attendance for the 86th show held up with a display by the Red Arrows, which cost £12,000, boost- ing numbers through the turnstiles. The showwaswell represented by


the area, not just by visitors, but also among the 400 exhibitors and trade stands, with our region’s commer- cial and amateur growers taking some of the top prizes. Brian Piper, from Filmers Farm in


Loose, received the Challenge Bowl and an armful of trophies for his cherries. He won six first places and the most points in The National Cherry and Soft Fruit Show – the country’s only top and soft fruit competition, held as part of the county show. The best strawberries in the county were grown by Robert Pas- call, from Clock House Farm, Cox- heath,whowon the Kentish Garden Strawberry Cup. Taking a first for his apricots was Clive Baxter, from Amsbury Farm, East Street, Hunton. Roz Day, from Headcorn, was in


charge of the flower marquee. She is on the show’s board of directors and


has been the chief flower steward for more than 20 years. She said: “It’s a full-on 10 days, but


I thoroughly enjoy it.” The 32 students from New Line Learning Academy in Maidstone walked away with the The Pattullo Higgs trophy after winning the most points for their animals at the show. They were in The Kent Young Farmers’ Clubs marquee where youngsters competing from eight schools and 11 young farmers’ clubs made it the largest gathering of young farmers in Europe. Among the trade exhibitors was


Mid Kent Flooring COMMERCIAL & DOMESTIC FLOOR COVERINGS


MID KENT SHOPPING CENTRE ALLINGTON, KENT ME16 0PU


 Carpets  Vinyls  Laminate  Solid Wood  Artificial Grass  Karndean Wet rooms  Uplift old  Move furniture  Amtico


100% Solar – 100% Independent


Fromleft: Chief flower steward Roz Day, New Line Learning Academy students with the Pattullo Higgs trophy and strawberry winners Robert Pascall (right) and Alistair Brooks


Anno Distillers, from Marden, whose award-winning alcoholic of- ferings, infused with Kent sloes, el- derflowers, hops and samphire, attracted keen interest. So with a ticket price of £22 per adult on the gate,was it value for money? A show spokesman said: “The


ticket price is reflective on the day out as a whole. It is comparable to other county shows and events across the country. “We included free donkey rides


and a circus workshop for children.” Next year’s show will run from Friday, July 15 to Sunday, July 17.


TV special


BBC Countryfile’s Matt Baker helped wrap the cherries sent from the show to Buckingham Palace. Co-presenters Adam Henson, Tom Heap, Matt Baker, Ellie Harrison and Anita Rani also took part in activities for a special broadcast which is now available on BBC iPlayer. Volunteers from The Rotary Club of Maidstone Riverside manned the ticket booths.


No need for power supply connection, drilling through walls, laying cables in rooms. German manufactured. 7 Year warranty!


ALL WORK FULLY GUARANTEED FREE ESTIMATES


01622 761230 www.midkentflooring.com


12 Maidstone South August 2015


Call today for a free quote 0800 0742 721  www.sbiproducts.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56