Vertex Steel Buildings have built a wonderful structure at the Kent County Show.  The building located in the Agricultural Area on stand 25 has taken just 4 days to erect and would make a wonderful addition to any home or farm.  The versatility, speed, affordability and strength make this an ideal product.  The Kentish Barn that can be seen at the Show, is now available and prices start at £15,000.  Pop along and chat to the team.

www.vertexsteelbuildings.co.uk

email: info@vertexsteelbuildings.co.uk and tel: 01233 770086

The Why Farming Matters area at the Kent Show has exhibited at the annual event in July since 2007 and has become one of the most popular attractions on the Showground during Show days.

 Why Farming Matters is an NFU campaign that has been encouraging the community to consider the importance of farming since 2006 when the campaign launched.  The new Why Farming Matters in Kent project will deliver the same core messages but with a local emphasis.  Dianne Quested from Mid Kent Training has taken the role as Project Manager, with the Kent County Agricultural Society is taking the lead to deliver the concept to a wider Kent Downs and Marshes audience which covers parts of Medway, Swale, Maidstone, Ashford, Canterbury, Shepway and Dover.

 The Project which will include, a website, interactive displays at a number of Kent farming events, marketing literature and educational material has been supported by the Kent Downs & Marshes Leader* and the Kent County Agricultural Society. 

‘Why Farming Matters in Kent’ will move opposite the Main Gate at this year’s County Show to allow visitors to ‘learn something new’ about farming, the countryside and where food comes from.  Roz Day, Honorary Director at the Society said, “It is vital that the public understand where their food comes from and where they can buy good value local produce. By supporting farming in Kent, we are able to encourage high standards in animal welfare, contribute to rural tourism and most importantly cut down on food miles”. Why Farming Matters in Kent seeks to promote a common message from all the partner organisations to the wider community, including aspects of the industry, where food comes from, environmental issues and sustainability.

The three year project aims to work in close partnership with several national organisations and many smaller regional companies that will all take part in the launch event on Friday 16^th July at the Kent County Show. The website which has been agreed in principle will go live on Friday, but will continue to be developed over the next few months.

 The ‘Why Farming Matters in Kent’ area will be split in to four sections.  The first will be all about livestock with cookery demonstrations from Mark Gilchrist, Head Chef and Director of Game for Everything.  The second area will concentrate on machinery and will incorporate a children’s interactive fun area.

Shepherd Neame will be telling the story of beer. The Kent based Company have been brewing in Faversham since 1698 and have 369 public houses across the South East. The final area will be run by the Campaign for the Farmed Environment whose work concentrates on three areas, the role farming has in the protection of resources such as water and soil, how farmers can help wild birds thrive and finally that a healthy and balanced approach to farmland management will provide a diverse environment for wildlife.

Visitors will also be able to see sheep shearing demonstrations from Hadlow College and an agricultural mock auction run by Hobbs Parker and Lambert & Foster.

The Kent County Show is delighted that Sue Perkins and Giles Coren will be joining us this year.  They have been busy filming their latest series of the Supersizers go… which will see the duo taking on the Good Life.  They have been embracing the lifestyle of Tom and Barbara in the iconic 70’s Show ‘The Good Life’ . They have been raising a Gloucester Old Spot Pig called Perky and Sue will be entering in to the spirit by taking part in a Livestock Class on Friday 16th.  Sue has been shown how to show her pig by top pig handler Martin Snell.  She will compete in a mock Supreme Conformation Championship which will see her Old Spot up against, a lamb, a dairy calf and a beef calf.

The Judge will be Geoff Pearson who is extremely well respected in the livestock showing fraternity and recently judged at the South of England Show and is a past Supreme Champion winner.

Giles and Sue have also been busy in their suburban home making wooden door numbers, chutney, wine and pickled eggs which they will be selling on Friday afternoon.

The new series will be shown on BBC2 and produced by Silver River.

The Big what?
It’s a one-day get together with your neighbours on Sunday 18th July 2010. It can be anything from a simple lunch to a full-blown street party with DJs and a home cooked feast.

About our Big Lunch

Ours is The Kent Show Big Lunch at the Kent Showground on the final day of the Kent County Show, kicking off at around 12:00pm on Sunday 18th July. The Kent County Show will be taking part in the Big Lunch, bring a picnic or buy lunch at one of our catering areas. Join visitors in the picnic and band stand area and get in to the community spirit of the Big Lunch with what could be the biggest lunch event in the County.  Join us and the BBC who will be supporting the event on Sunday.

Haulryn will be bringing their luxury Pemberton Serena, which you will be able to look around and admire the stunning interior decoration. They will have details on all their fabulous parks in Wales and The South of England as well as helpful advisors to answer all your questions on holiday home ownership.

Taking inspiration from the welcome feel of a traditional country cottage, the elegant styling of the Serena will make you feel instantly at home. Gentle shades of blue, cream and mocha create a bright and airy atmosphere throughout the living area. The three seater and 2 seater sofa bed with co-coordinating storage ottoman and large French doors present all the trimmings of a high quality home.
The kitchen is designed to complement the country style with cream shaker cabinet doors and co-coordinating kitchen table and chairs. It has been fully equipped with a microwave and fully integrated fridge freezer.

The tranquil master bedroom in refreshing tones of light green and chestnut wood creates a perfect setting for a good night’s sleep. The large window seat with storage underneath, roomy dressing table, good closet space and en-suite toilet add the finishing touches to this exceptionally designed bedroom.

The Serena is an excellent choice if you are looking for an elegant country classic to call your home.

Websites : www.haulfryn.co.uk

http://www.pembertonlh.co.uk/

Our Media Partner the Kent Messenger Group have money off vouchers for the Kent County Show in this week’s bumper Kent County Show pullout special.  The vouchers valid for Friday 16th July can be cut out and used for adult, senior citizens and families.  Adults will get £1.50 off entry (normal price £17.00) and Families £3.00 of the normal gate price of £43.00.

Inside the supplement is a free map of the Show with the added bonus of being able to win £200 of shopping vouchers, £100 kindly provided by The Mall, Maidstone and the other which can be used at most High Street stores and shops in Maidstone.  All you need to do is answer 10 simple questions while enjoying your day at the Kent County Show.  Take the completed form to the Kent Messenger marquee, the winning entry will be drawn Sunday afternoon.

The Kent County Agricultural Society has commissioned a book detailing the history of the Society and the Kent County Show.  The A4 hardback takes readers on a journey through its 87 year History, from its formation in 1923 to plans for the future.

The book, with stunning archive photos and details of the Show that started in Gravesend, toured the major towns for a number of years and then following the Second World War was invited to stage the annual event each year in Mote Park, Maidstone.  Finally in 1964 the Kent County Show moved to its present site in Detling and began a comprehensive building programme that would see it transform from a field to a fully functioning Event and Exhibition Centre.

The book will be available to buy on the first day of the 2010 Show, priced £15.  This limited edition is a must have for anyone connected with the Show or anyone that has an interest in farming or Kentish History.

It is a little known fact that 9 out of 10 tractors made in the UK up to 1945 were Fordsons. They were the tractor that revolutionised farming as was the later 1951-64 Fordson Diesel Major. They were everywhere, and still are today with enthusiasts around the world.  The Ford and Fordson Association is coming to the Kent County Show 2010 and bringing its Expo VI!

Over 120 Ford and Fordsons will be on special display, from a 1918 example to the present day New Holland tractor, which took over Ford’s tractor division starting in 1993. Each day this very special section, that is located behind the Countryside area, will parade in the Main Brachers Astor Ring with commentary by well known tractor journalist and author Peter Love. Peter was born at Paddock Wood, Kent and first stood on a Fordson tractor when he was just two years old.

There will be a Ford and Fordson Association marquee for you all to enjoy, featuring special tractors, DVDs, magazines, books and history on the make. Visitors will have a chance to sit down and enjoy the tractors inside and out, including a special 1920’s ‘tracked’ wheelbarrow.  The entry also features no less than four Doe tractors, which are basically two tractors as one, which flex in the middle and were made by Doe’s at Ulting in Essex from 1957-64.  They were the most powerful tractor when new at 100hp.

However the main feature at Expo VI will be the largest gathering of Fordson narrow and hopgarden tractors ever gathered in preservation times. These were assembled in Kent, mostly after World War Two by the Kent Fordson dealers. They were known as the KFD and made until 1964 in very limited numbers. In fact Haynes of Maidstone was part of this group and will be exhibiting their 1922 Fordson in the FFA marquee display.

Local FFA Kent representative Rodney Gibson has been working for a whole year to bring these special tractors together. They worked especially on the hop and fruit farms of Kent and Rodney is very pleased with what has been assembled and will be going for a Guinness Book of Records attempt at the Show.  Entries for Expo VI have been received from as far as northern England, Wales and Cornwall where, one of the very oldest tractors on display lives.

The Association has members in the Republic of Ireland, Italy, Australia, New Zealand and North and South America. They move their major event called ‘The FFA Expo’ around the Country and in 2008 they took it overseas to Fingal near Dublin, Republic of Ireland where it was extremely successful. If you need any information on the FFA do contact Rob Rushen-Smith the FFA secretary, tel: 07811 393537.

The Kent Show team will be a the Mall/Chequers Centre on Saturday 26th June, level 4.  We will be giving away our Kent Show animal masks to children and information about the Show on 16, 17 & 18 July.  You will be able to see baby chicks, taste apple juice from local producer Moor Organics in Sittingbourne, http://www.moororganicjuice.co.uk/ and sample Kentish Blue Cheese.

There will be a vintage car in all its splendor and flower art from local competition florists.  The Kent Messenger our Media partner will be part of the display.  Come down and get a small taste of the Kent County Show.  We are also partners with members of  Maidstone Town Centre. http://www.maidstonetowncentre.com/index.html