Farming, food, football and a flypast – the Derbyshire County Show is better than ever

Thousands of people enjoyed farming, food, football and a flypast at the 138th Derbyshire County Show – which was bathed in wall-to-wall sunshine.

Dozens of volunteers transformed the 50-acre site at Locko Park in Spondon, into a showground capable of hosting Derbyshire’s biggest celebration of all things rural. It was the second year the show had been staged on the private estate, which dates back to the 11th century, and the event lived up to its promise to be bigger and better than ever before – with more than 1,000 animals and 500 different breeds ranging from bees and bunnies to bulls.

Between 11,000 and 12,000 people attended the show enjoying the best in traditional British country pursuits and some spectacular showground entertainment. In the main ring there were equestrian display teams, a sheepdog display, a parade of heavy horses and show jumping, craft and trade stalls, floral displays and homemade cakes and jams from the Women’s Institute.

Although the show is a true celebration of rural life, it is also a celebration of family life – with something for every member of the family. This year, an RAF Spitfire wowed crowds with a flypast mid-afternoon while a giant screen showed England’s victory over Panama in the World Cup.

As well as a performance from JC Ball’s Dancing Diggers, there was a superb selection of vintage cars, from the majestic Rolls-Royce to the humble Austin 7, and a parade of lovingly restored tractors, lorries, steam engines, machinery and motorcycles from a bygone era.

The show’s chairman Edward Hicklin said: ‘Preparation for this year’s show began just days after last year’s event finished and the committee works all year round to bring it together. Most of us have been involved with the show all our lives – I’ve been taking part since I was eight years old – so we are like well-oiled cogs all slotting into place.

‘This year the stars really were aligned – the sun shone all day and England scored six goals; it was the perfect day. We’ve had some really lovely feedback and we’re planning to return next year with an even bigger and better line-up.’