This time last week a small village was being constructed on the Windmill Fisheries Showground formed out of marquees, stages, main arenas and bordered by plenty of flags. Posters had been spread across neighbouring areas and AA road signs were waiting in their positions. The widely anticipated South Gloucestershire Show was approaching.
At 10.30 on Saturday the 2nd of August the gates were opened and after a wet and soggy start the weather began to brighten up for most of the morning. The show started with an opening prayer by Reverend Ian Wallace, the team rector of the Yate parish, and continued with a dog agility performance in the Main Arena, talks in the Health and Wellbeing demo/ workshop area, activities in the kids zone and cycle arena and a performance from an 18 piece band from Portishead, The Ukulele Funhouse Orchestra. The weekend continued in this way, with explosive performances in the Main Arena from the likes of Flyin’ Ryan and his motorbike stunt show, a field full of classic cars and even surprise flashmobs from the Go Zumba UK team and Fascinating Rhythm – a barbershop/ close harmony a cappella group. Take a look at their flashmob videos on our YouTube channel.
The show went on until 21.00 with some fantastic local bands ending the weekend on a musical high. Musicians were transported to and from the stages in golf buggies, many of them taking it as an opportunity to give onlookers a sneak peak of their performances to come as they whizzed by in the vehicles. Some of the bands even got involved with our social media #sgselfie competition! The last act of the weekend was Soulside – a soul, motown, funk and disco band from Chippenham. Crowds gathered to watch the final performance while the sun set behind them. It was the perfect way to end the weekend.
Today the fields that welcomed South Glos Show village have emptied. Posters have been removed and recycled and the anticipation starts again for next year’s show.
If you went to the South Glos Show last weekend then we’d love to hear from you. Please fill in our survey here, you could even win £30 worth of iTunes and Google Play vouchers. We hope you all enjoyed the show and we look forward to seeing you again next year on the 1st and 2nd of August – save the date!