The Royal Cornwall Show is in its 223rd year and the event is littered with long held traditions. Suited, booted and bowler hat wearing stewards are just one such fixture and fitting that reflects the show’s rich heritage.

However, to remain as Cornwall’s largest and best-loved event for this long inevitably change has to be embraced.

The show’s organiser, the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association (RCAA), has over the past two centuries done just that.

This year will see another change with the introduction e-ticketing for the first time.

Tickets, grandstand seats and camping pitches can be purchased online as usual, but now individually barcoded tickets will be emailed to visitors instantly to be printed out at home rather than delivered in the post.

The e-tickets will be scanned at the show’s entrance gates and can be bought online even on the show days. This wasn’t possible until now as all tickets all had to be posted out to attendees.

Christopher Riddle, RCAA secretary feels the new system will make life easier for the show’s visitors and the organisers alike.

“The demand for advance tickets has been building year on year and e-ticketing is very much the future for events.

“It’s a quick, easy process to securely buy tickets on our website. It saves visitors having to queue at the gates on show days to pay, so they can make the most of their time at the show.

“Saving on administration and postage it also helps keep our costs low and in turn ensure our ticket prices remain among the lowest for an event of this type in the country.”

Show-goers will also be able to pre-order official show catalogues and programmes online, exchanging the voucher at the show’s official programme outlets to collect their copy.

Those not quite ready to go digital need not worry. Tickets are still available to be purchased over the telephone for posting by calling 01208 812183, or in person at the showground office in advance of the show.

“It is fascinating to see how far people will travel to attend the show. Tickets have been purchased by people located across the UK so far this year,” added Christopher. “We’ve even had tickets purchased from as far away as The Netherlands, Sweden and Ukraine.”

Three days of farming, food and fun are lined up for this year’s show which takes place on the 9th, 10th and 11th June at the Wadebridge showground.

For more information about the event and to buy tickets in advance visit www.royalcornwall.co.uk