North Show puts this year's focus on families
AN EIGHT foot-tall robot, a quad bike stuntman, gundogs, axe experts and reptiles are all coming to Saumarez Park this week as part of the North Show, which opens on Wednesday.
Show vice-president Josh Gabriel said that this year there will be a family focus to the show and one of the highlights will be the chance to ride on a vintage carousel that appeared in last year’s film version of Roald Dahl’s Matilda: The Musical.
In keeping with the family emphasis, entry to the show will be free for children aged 11 and under, and Mr Gabriel said organisers were grateful to the Blue Diamond Group for sponsoring this, as well as the carousel.
A Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist will be making his presence felt over the two days.
The 8ft tall Titan the Robot appeared in the programme last year and made a name for itself by ‘crying’ over the four judges while singing Cry Me A River.
The robot was created in 2004 and since then has appeared at a number of events, including the Glastonbury Festival and on TV programmes such as The Gadget Show and Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.
A quad bike stunt show will be taking to the arena, featuring North Devon stuntman Paul Hannam, who has 25 years’ experience riding the bikes and 10 years’ racing at British Championship Level.
Between displays, show visitors will be able to see the bikes up close, meet the riders and take photos.
The skills of a team of Welsh axemen will also be on display, courtesy of the Clwyd Axemen. The group was established in 2008 and since then has entertained audiences at agricultural shows, carnivals, flower shows and corporate events.
Animals will also be playing a part, with Nick Gregory’s 15 Misselchalke Gundogs.
This will feature a demonstration of their training from puppy to adult and climaxes with a display in which he works the dogs, labradors and spaniels, off-lead.
A new attraction outside of the arena this year is Island Pet Parties’ reptile tent where people can get up close and personal with snakes, bearded dragons and other unusual creatures.
The tent will also host talks, feeding displays and handling opportunities.
Musical entertainment will be the focus of the shows outdoor stage with Sonic Book and The Rubiks appearing on Wednesday and The Big Band Collective on Thursday.
And, of course, Thursday afternoon will see the Battle of Flowers and climax with the floodlit parade and firework display.
Both nights will see a meat draw in the beer tent and at the climax of Thursday’s show there will be a grand auction of produce.
n Tickets are on sale at the gates but can also be purchased in advance from Le Friquet Garden Centre, Stan Brouard, Saumarez Park Tea Room and RH Gaudion & Sons.
