Show is ready whatever the weather

The show is open at L’Eree from 10am today and tomorrow and lasts until 11pm tomorrow when the beer tent closes.

Organising committee president Mark Le Prevost said attendance numbers usually hit 10,000 over the two days.

‘We are looking forward to another successful show,’ he said. ‘We have some great entertainment coming over from the UK.’

Mr Le Prevost said it is always difficult to find different forms of entertainment that they have not had before.

But this year will not fall short of fresh acts, with a display of birds of prey coming to the show for the first time.

Karsten Bulner, from K & H Falconry, will be flying the birds in the main arena four times over the two days, as well as having a static display tent throughout the show.

Mr Le Prevost said getting the falconry display had been ‘touch and go’ due to bird flu, but he was happy clearance was given by the States vet.

He said he was looking forward particularly to seeing the jousting act, which will be the first in Guernsey in about 35 years.

The Knights of Nottingham have brought six horses that will bear them as they carry their lances into battle.

The act will be a full medieval display, with costumes and weapons fit to match.

The weather is forecast to be thundery showers with a light breeze today, but it is set to clear up tomorrow with sunny intervals.

‘We are hoping the crowds will turn up, whether it rains or not,’ said Mr Le Prevost.

In past years, he said, show-goers have embraced the rain, turning up in waterproofs and wellies.

He said if it does rain, they will deal with it the best they can.

‘In true West style we will soldier on,’ he said. ‘The show must go on, as they say.’

This year the organisers decided to open up animal entries to the whole island, including dairy and beef cattle, sheep, and pigs.

Mr Le Prevost said it was important to him personally that this element of the show was kept going.

‘We are an agriculture and horticulture show at our core. It’s important to stick to our roots.’

Next year sees the 100th West Show, which Mr Le Prevost said will include some special entertainment that has already been booked.

Parking in the fields can be accessed from the road opposite the shingle bank on Route de la Rocque and the other area can be accessed from Les Sablons. The charge for car parking is £2.

For more information, visit thewestshow.com.

Today's events and times

. 10am – judging of livestock and animal classes

. 12.30pm – Guernsey bubbles

. 1pm – parkour action

. 1.45pm – K&H Falconry display

. 2pm – Guernsey bubbles

. 2.15pm parkour action

. 2.30pm – the Knights of Nottingham jousting

. 3.15pm – lawnmower racing

. 3.30pm – parkour action

. 3.45pm – K&H Falconry display

. 4pm – Guernsey bubbles

. 4.30pm – the Knights of Nottingham jousting

. 5.15pm – parkour action

. 5.30pm – vintage tractor drive

. 6.30pm – lawnmower racing

. 7pm – live music and family games