Organisers improve access to Tendring Show at Lawford

The show - which takes place at Lawford House Park, near Manningtree, on Saturday, July 8 - will feature a new cycle park to enable visitors to cycle to the event.

A new pedestrian entry off Bromley Road will also be created, and changes have been made to car parks to improve traffic flow and avoid long queues at peak times.

Those attending can expect more than 150 trade stands and more exhibitors than last year when the event returned with a bang as more than 20,000 visitors poured through the gates.

The show is run by an army of hundreds of volunteer farmers and supporters from the Tendring Hundred Farmers’ Club who give up their spare time to provide a showcase for the industry - and a fun family day out.

Chairman Will King said: "Last year’s show was a tremendous success and early signs are that we can expect an even greater number of exhibitors and trade stands back on the showground this summer.

"Visitors can expect that special Tendring Show atmosphere that celebrates our agricultural heritage and the best of our local communities, including brilliant entertainment, plenty of shopping opportunities, livestock showing classes, big machinery, and small animal tents."

The roots of the show can be traced back to a cattle show and ploughing match in the 1830s which took place behind Thorpe Church - but the first official Tendring Show was held in 1899.

Despite big changes and challenges for the farming industry, the annual show continued. 

Organisers aim to bring together the rural and local communities of the Tendring Hundred and celebrate the district's vibrant rural life and history.

Craft skills will be centre-stage this year to celebrate the show's theme of creativity in the countryside.

The show will also be celebrating the area's strong agricultural heritage with large displays of agricultural machinery, livestock, and opportunities to buy food from local producers.

Among the entertainment will be The Imps Motorcycle Display Team, the W2W BMX Display Team, and the popular Sheep Show.

A record number of exhibitors will be at the Food Pavilion and new artists and regulars will be selling everything from bespoke furniture, fabrics and rugs to designer clothes in the Art Show & Lifestyle area

The Education Tent will showcase the work of more than 20 local schools and institutions, and the Tendring Dog Agility - Have a Go Ring will enable visitors to show off their pets' skills.

Meanwhile, the main ring will play host to new vintage and modern farming machinery displays, a Farming on the Move agricultural machinery show, the fast-moving scurry, hound parade vintage cars, and a grand parade of livestock.