THE Royal Manx Agricultural Show enters a new era tomorrow when it moves for the first time in its history to the new venue of Knockaloe in Patrick after many years at Sulby.
The weather forecast suggests there may be a few light showers, but generally it looks as if it will be fine for both days of the show which culminates in the Grand Parade on Saturday afternoon and the selection of the highly coveted title of Supreme Champion.
Record numbers attended the Southern Agricultural Show at the end of July and it’s expected that the new venue of Patrick could result in another record attendance for the Royal Show this weekend.
Organisers have allocated a huge area for car parking at Knockaloe, but the police have already issued an appeal to drivers to be patient, following the huge traffic jams which log-jammed the roads at Great Meadow for the Southern Show.
It is hoped similar problems will not be encountered in the next two days at Knockaloe, but drivers should expect that there will be queues to get into the venue and are advised to arrive as early as possible.
The programme of events for both days (listed below) provides entertainment for all the family, ranging from motorcycle riding by Steve Colley and Juan Knight to sheep shearing, log cutting, dog obedience displays and falconry.
But the main highlight of the Royal Show, as always, is on the Saturday when the Island’s prime livestock goes on display throughout the day, leading to the Grand Parade, scheduled for 4pm, and the selection of the Supreme Champion.
One “celebrity” animal taking part is the 2005 Grand National winner ‘Hedgehunter’ which can be seen in the Parade Ring just before the Grand Parade.
One of the main attractions for visitors is certain to be the demonstrations in the Manx Food Court - a new feature at the Royal Show in recent years.
Visitors are invited to try the tastes and flavours from over 20 Manx food producers and to watch the cookery demonstrations throughout the two days.
Sponsored by the “I Love Manx” campaign and co-ordinated by the ‘Relish’ cookery school, the events on Friday include cookery skills by Tanroagan seafood restaurant, Desmonds fishmongers, Isle of Man Meats and Greeba Mushrooms.
Later in the day, from 3pm, will be the heats for the “I Love Manx Professional Chef of the Year” for Angiolino Raso (Italian Job), Yohann Bonjus (International Business School), Mohammed Hoque (Spice of India) and Bob Ashton (Sound Cafe).
On Saturday the cookery demonstrations will include Alan Teare, northern beef producer, Chrissie from Manx Classic Cakes, Jimbo’s Ice Cream and a butchery demonstration from Radcliffe’s of Castletown.
From 3pm will be the heats of the “I Love Manx Family Chef of the Year” featuring Vicky Rogers (Port St Mary), Sheila and Stephen Gawne (Pooilvaaish), Pam Crowe (Port Erin) and Lucy Kinrade (Ramsey).
The chef competition finals will be judged by celebrity TV chef James Martin when he visits the Isle of Man Food & Drink Festival in September.
On both days of the show there will be displays and demonstrations by Ballaugh Crafty Crafters, The Embroiders’ Guild, The Isle of Man Federation of Women’s Institutes, the Isle of man Bonsai Society, the Isle of Man Flower Clubs’ Group, The Manx Beekeepers, Manx Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers, Manx Lacemakers.
There will be other demonstrations and exhibitions by Isle of Man Police Dog Unit, Ellan Vannin Gymnasts, Isle of Man Taekwondo Association and the Manx Classic Car Club.
The show concludes on a light-hearted note when members of the Island’s Young Farmers’ groups compete in the ‘Pack and Peugeot’ contest, to get as many people into a Peugeot as possible! Larger young farmers will be spectating!
‘Lost’ children will be cared for at the Mothers’ Union marquee to await collection from anxious parents. Nappy changing facilities are also available at the same marquee.
FRIDAY TIMETABLE:
9.15 Show Hunter Pony Classes...........................................................................Light Horse Arena
9.30 Mr President opens the 2011 Royal Show
9.30 Judging begins Dog Obedience Show
9.30 Judging begins Dog Agility Demonstration ..................................................
10.00 Show Jumping Classes .................................................................................Light Horse Arena
10.00 Judging begins Open Breed Dog Show ........................................................Heavy Horse ring
10.30 Falconry Display & Lurcher Racing Team Display .......................................Entertainment Ring
10.30 Welsh Woodcutters chainsaw and axing demonstration .............................Woodcutters Arena
11.00 Working Hunter Classes ...............................................................................Light Horse Arena
11.00 Steve Colley and Juan Knight Motorcycle Display .......................................Entertainment Ring
11.30 Dressage to Music with Miss Rowan Caley ..................................................Entertainment Ring
12.00 Ellan Vannin Gymnastics Club ......................................................................Entertainment Ring
12.20 Isle of Man Police Dog Display ....................................................................Entertainment Ring
12.50 Classic Car Parade........................................................................................Entertainment Ring
1.00 Calf Show and Calf Handlers........................................................................Cattle ring
1.00 Welsh Woodcutters chainsaw and axing demonstration .............................Woodcutters Arena
1.00 Isle of Man Gundogs Association display .....................................................Entertainment Ring
1.30 Sheep shearing demonstration with Daniel Creer.......................................Entertainment Ring
1.45 Falconry Display & Lurcher Racing Team Display .......................................Entertainment Ring
2.15 Steve Colley and Juan Knight Motorcycle Display .......................................Entertainment Ring
2.45 Stan Skinner's sheepdog demonstration .....................................................Entertainment Ring
3.00 2011 Heats, “I Love Manx Professional Chef of the Year” .........................Manx Food Theatre
3.00 Sheep shearing demonstration with Daniel Creer.......................................Entertainment Ring
3.15 Classic Car and Vintage Machinery Parade ................................................Entertainment Ring
3.30 Steve Colley and Juan Knight Motorcycle Display .......................................Entertainment Ring
3.30 Welsh Woodcutters chainsaw and axing demonstration .............................Woodcutters Arena
4.00 Falconry Display & Lurcher Racing Team Display .......................................Entertainment Ring
SATURDAY TIMETABLE:
9.00 Light Horse Classes......................................................................................Horse Arena
9.45 Young Farmers Clubs - Stock Judging .........................................................Cattle lines
10.00 Judging of Livestock and Marquee exhibits begins .....................................
10.00 Falconry Display & Lurcher Racing Team Display .......................................Entertainment Ring
10.30 Steve Colley and Juan Knight Motorcycle Display .......................................Entertainment Ring
10.30 Welsh Woodcutters chainsaw and axing demonstration .............................Woodcutters Arena
10.30 Judging of the Meg Lamb Class ..................................................................Near sheep lines
11.00 Isle of Man Police Dog Display ....................................................................Entertainment Ring
11.20 Isle of Man Taekwondo Association display .................................................Entertainment Ring
11.40 Sheep shearing demonstration with Daniel Creer.......................................Entertainment Ring
11.50 Dressage to Music with Miss Rowan Caley ..................................................Entertainment Ring
12.00 Ellan Vannin Gymnastics Club ......................................................................Entertainment Ring
12.20 Steve Colley and Juan Knight Motorcycle Display .......................................Entertainment Ring
12.50 Falconry Display & Lurcher Racing Team Display .......................................Entertainment Ring
1.00 Young Farmers Clubs - Sheep Judging........................................................Sheep lines
1.00 Welsh Woodcutters chainsaw and axing demonstration .............................Woodcutters Arena
1.20 Young Farmers Tug-of-war...........................................................................Entertainment Ring
1.35 Classic Car & Vintage Machinery Parade.....................................................Entertainment Ring
2.20 Steve Colley and Juan Knight Motorcycle Display .......................................Entertainment Ring
2.50 Sheep shearing demonstration with Daniel Creer.......................................Entertainment Ring
3.00 2011 Heats of the “I Love Manx Family Chef of the Year”............................Manx Food Theatre
3.05 Isle of Man Gundogs Association display .....................................................Entertainment Ring
3.20 Stan Skinner's sheepdog demonstration .....................................................Entertainment Ring
3.30 Welsh Woodcutters chainsaw and axing demonstration .............................Woodcutters Arena
3.35 Falconry Display & Lurcher Racing Team Display .......................................Entertainment Ring
3.55 Hedgehunter – Winner of the 2005 Grand National.....................................Entertainment Ring
4.00 THE GRAND PARADE led by Miss Young Farmer.........................................Entertainment Ring
followed by the Prize Presentations....................................................
4.30 Young Farmers “Pack a Peugeot”. How many will it take?! .......................Entertainment Ring
5.00 Marquee exhibits and Classic Cars may be removed ..................................
