Every year in the middle of Summer my work diary becomes hectic. Boxes upon boxes of branded merchandise are sorted out between rotas of colleagues who are free on the first Saturday of August, packing up my truck and all of us traipsing over to a field with barely any phone signal, let alone 4G. Once there, we will all work hard to fill the bare bones of a marquee with our brand, hoping that clients and other attendees will visit our stand to learn about the business we dedicate a third of our life to. Put like that, it doesn’t fill you with much excitement. Yet, there is something thrilling about Blakesley Show day. Arriving before the first announcement to put your brand’s stamp and design on to a plot of land that will be visited by hundreds and hundreds of guests. Figuring out the best games and prizes to attract more people to encourage more business, as well as speaking to those people who have heard of us and have thought of moving to us but haven’t quite got there yet. Also spreading the word about charities we are supporting and exciting events that we are planning. Blakesley is the perfect place to provide a fantastic first impression and I’m happy to say that my team definitely did that!

Blakesley Show itself is a local legend, having been organised annually for 135 years. Generations of farmers and their friends and families have been visiting the show ground for years with their cattle, sheep and horses in the hopes of winning a qualifier on home turf. It’s also a chance for these same farmers to peruse the latest farming technology, purchase locally sourced products and support their neighbours and country sports that may well take place on their land. You can also be sure of an education, learning about stock judging, the history of the Shire horse and also how local hunts operate within the boundaries of the law.

2019 was no exception. Even though I was busy with work for the majority of the day, the local sense of community was undeniable. If you didn’t know the person walking past you, you can guarantee you’d know one of their friends. If you weren’t a member of the local Grafton Hunt Pony Club, or if you’d never tried hunting with the Farmer’s Bloodhounds, you could ask a Master or previous member about their experiences at their stand. You can also be sure you’d get given a free drink and you’d find some complimentary refreshments at another stand close by.  

After attending many country shows in the past, I’m happy to say that Blakesley is the only one with a true local feel. It’s not so much about companies making money, but about companies and organisations giving back to the community that has supported them over the years. I’m happy that the company I work for has given me the opportunity at representing them at such a prestigious local show and, even through the stress and tears of organising, I can’t wait to begin the journey all over again in 2020.