Return of the shows helps bring back community spirit
SUMMER 2021 was buzzing with activities as the island's three shows brought back a sense of community spirit after being called off last year due to Covid-19.
Some aspects of the traditional offerings had been scaled back this year, but many survived.
Entrants into the exhibitions were down at all the shows compared to other years, which some organisers believe to be due to people going on holiday to see family.
The first show was the South, which had an estimated footfall of 1,500 people.
The usual outdoor events did not go ahead, meaning the annual dog show could not take place.
Organisers have begun planning to put the event on next year.
South Show committee president Mike Weysom said ‘We were pleased that all the shows could go ahead.
‘We have started preparing to use the field again and we’re working closely with the GSPCA.’
Entrants into the vegetable classes across the shows were generally not able to produce to the usual standard due to a difficult growing season.
‘The growing season has been terrible – I’ve been growing for years and I’ve never seen anything like it,’ said Mr Weysom.
The West Show saw more than 15,000 people through the gates, which was on par with 2019 figures.
The attendance was not far from that of the show’s record year in 2017, when 16,000 people attended.
Show president Mark Le Prevost said that although footfall was high, the exhibition tent had fewer entries than usual.
‘We were slightly down. Some classes had more entries than usual and some had fewer, but it was still a good amount.’
Organisers have been calculating finances to start planning for next year.
‘It’s looking positive,’ said Mr Le Prevost.
‘We can definitely put on a show again next year.’
Show season came to an end with the annual firework display lighting up the sky to round off the North Show.
Some 4,500 people were estimated to have attended the final day, and 50 floats were entered into the Battle of Flowers.
The fairground which usually features at the West and North Shows did not appear because the fairground owners had not been double-vaccinated.
North Show committee president Gary Trimbee-Laine did not consider this to have had an impact on its success, however.
‘There seemed to be a new feel without the fairground,’ he said.
