Show Report 2024

SUNDAY 25th - BANK HOLIDAY 26th AUGUST

COWS 2024 The Manor Side

The road signs had gone up at the beginning of August and these always herald the run up to the Show.

Planning starts soon after the previous year’s Show, with bookings confirmed for equipment and supplies, stall holders and exhibitors taking place over the following months. The last Bank Holiday weekend of the year is a very busy time for Shows around the country and consequently early booking as above is essential as those potential participants can soon be booked up elsewhere!

The week before the Show sees much activity with the marquees and other equipment arriving and being erected. Also the hedges and parking fields are cut and any ground-work done to ensure smooth passage for the many vehicles that will attend. Signs, bollards, pedestrian fencing are all positioned to allow safe ease of access to and from all areas.

Watching the weather forecast becomes an essential occupation in the days leading up and we were fortunate this year to have fair weather up until the Saturday before, when the heavens opened! We limited vehicle movement on site to a minimum and laid track matting in vulnerable areas. All the straw bales were covered. Later that day the rain stopped, the sun came out and together with a brisk wind dried out the site so by the evening we were more optimistic, and the forecast was good for the Show days.

The Show got going after the opening and short service by The Reverend Canon Janet Nicholls with the Arena Events stating at 11am. Over the two days we watched skilful displays of working sheepdogs, machinery parades, children’s games including egg and spoon and sack races. The tug of war created much amusement, as did the ‘canine musical sit’… a sort of musical chairs with dogs but with surprising variations! The huge shire horses always provide a most impressive sight and this year we also had miniature ponies in the ring at the same time, providing a contrasting spectacle!

The Horticultural Marquee

One of the highlights of the show – The Horticultural Marquee produced an amazing display of green fingered excellence, amazing craft skills and fantastic creativity… the best of which were rewarded with rosettes presented in the arena.

COWS 2024 Horticultural tent

ART SHOW

The Art Show in the church provided another array of accomplished artists, sculptors and photographers proudly displaying their work for visitors to buy or just admire.

The Show Bar

The Show Bar, run by Dunmow Young Farmers again proved to be a great draw with many sitting enjoying a drink throughout the event. The bar was open until 10pm on the Sunday night for participants in the Show and the Young Farmers, with a singer providing the entertainment. At 10pm the bar closed and all left quietly.

COWS 2024 The Art Show

The Animal Marquee

The Animal Marquee allowed visitors to see farm animals up close, all safely penned though! There were opportunities to handle smaller animals under strict supervision and this was extremely popular with the children, their parents looking on.

A blacksmith demonstration showcased how the techniques used have changed little over the past 100 years, the hammer and anvil skills still much in evidence.

COWS 2024 The Animal Tent

The Ploughing Match

The Ploughing Match took place on its new site and this proved to be a success, with over 30 entrants for the various competitions.

The steam engines, both full size and miniature, always are a draw and the evocative smell is a welcome addition. They were in steam throughout the two days.

COWS 2024 The Ploughing Competition

The Dog Show

The Dog Show was continuously busy, with an extraordinary variety of dogs competing for the different classes, but also entering the scurry and ‘longest biscuit’ competition.

Little Easton Manor

Little Easton Manor and its surrounding outbuildings, gardens and lakes provided the perfect setting for visitors to enjoy the many different activities taking place, including live music, Morris dancing, mumming plays, car shows and shop at the many stalls. Refreshments available included the Pimms bar, Manor tearoom and bar and food stalls.

The stalls in the historic barn theatre and marquee opposite were well attended and the exhibitors pleased with the business done.

A miniature railway, operated by Little Canfield Men’s Shed essexshednetwork.co.uk was a popular attraction for children between 3 and 8, and the members of this Community Association are to be congratulated on its installation (not simple!) and operating of.

This year’s Show, as always, is held to raise money to keep the four churches of the Five Parishes open and in good repair for the community and those from further afield to worship in, visit, admire, be inspired by.

Ancillary to this the Show is also a key community event and acts as a meeting place for many families, sometimes getting together from afar; for local residents; for those travelling quite some distance. All arrive to find a friendly, happy and relaxing atmosphere, with central attractions that in many cases involve public participation, be it entering items for the Horticultural or Art Shows, participating in the Dog Show, children’s arena activities, Car Show etc.

There are ten separate Charities who participate in the Show, whether selling burgers, coffee, gifts, second-hand goods; homing rescue dogs,  discussing their work and giving out information. For all of them this is an essential source of income and publicity.

Finally we would like to thank all of you who came to the Show, some on both days, for making the two days so memorable for all the right reasons! We have received many lovely messages and encouraging feedback with an overall feeling of happiness, enjoyment and relaxation.

Thank you also to all those who helped in any way including the many volunteers, stewards, young farmers, staff at the Manor and stallholders who helped us with the many jobs involved in putting on the Show.

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