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:: [Edenbridge & Oxted Agricultural Show - Ardenrun, Lingfield, Surrey - August Bank Holiday] :: As the name of the Show implies, the Show is primarily a Country
Show dedicated to country pursuits, and the Historic Vehicle Display, of
which I am the Chief Steward (as well as being the Vehicle Registrar of
the Surrey Vintage Vehicle Society ), is
a small but important part of the overall event. If your interest is
mainly in Historic Vehicles
click
here which
will take you to the Vehicle Display Page. The purpose of the Page below is
to give you the overall impression of the Edenbridge & Oxted
Agricultural Show in
its many and varied aspects, other than Historic Vehicles. Pictures and
comments are my own and in no way connected with the official Show
Organisation. The Show traditionally starts with the Show Ball which is
held in the VP marquee on the Friday evening and goes on long into the
night. A smashing ‘bash’ which always sets the scene for a fabulous
weekend. Being a Country Show, the E&O has literally hundreds of
attractions for all the family. The Historic Vehicle Display is in the part of
Show designated the "Country Sports Area" adjacent to the rear
public entrance and this is where I commenced my wander through the Show
taking snaps as I went. I hope the photos and comments give you the
general flavour of the Show. 
Country pursuits include gardening and specifically competitive gardening. A very large Horticultural Marquee dominates the procedure and is filled with all manner of plants, flowers and vegetables all grown and groomed to absolute perfection; also full of people examining things in great detail. Gardening is a serious matter, and one thing for sure, in some things size matters. 
 
Marquees are a very useful thing especially when it rains, as it did. Can house hundreds, as they did. People in tents included hungry people seriously shopping for oysters and cider brandy and other specialised 'delis' in the Food Hall, gentle people keen on all things ethnic rummaged through hand made goodies in the Craft Marquee and serious women doing their thing in the WI Marquee.   
 
 
Serious shoppers though had most of the rest of the Showground with what seemed a couple of hundred of tended shops selling absolutely everything from fast food to fast cars. Safe to say that if you wanted a Barbour, a jacuzzi, a tractor, jellied eels or a mock tudor barn, this was the place to come. Too many things to mention, so here again are a few photos to give a hint of the flavour. 
 
  
Those interested in new cars and new machinery had plenty to choose from. From the latest go-faster Jaguars including the new X type, to latest in John Deere high lift stacking tractors, it was all here. You need a new Land-Rover to match your new green wellies, you want a lawn mower, a strimmer, chain saw, - you know where to go. Need to buy an Aga or fill it with oil, look no further. 
 
But as this is an Agricultural Show, there is also a very interesting Vintage Agricultural Machinery section which has a number of fascinating old tractors and diggers. This section also accommodates a fully working Threshing Machine which is powered by two tractors and which is in action during the show. There was also a display of Stationary Engines driving static machinery. 
  
Children are not forgotten either. Beside the Agricultural machinery section is the children's Fun Fair including traditional helter skelter, roundabouts, shooting gallery as well as the now requisite bouncy castles and the state of the art rocket travel simulator. They also had an Ice Dome complete with an ice-rink and nearby were a number of go-carts and go-bikes of various types.    
Also for kids of all ages was the fluffy Rabbit and Poultry marquee with literally hundreds of rabbits being very earnestly judged. Also nearby was the Medieval Encampment with all participants dressed in medieval costume and using medieval implements, tools and materials. Close was Old MacDonalds Farm, Young Farmer's duck racing stadium, and Heavy Horse Village.  
All around were loads of food stalls and ice-cream vans as well as three designated Catering Areas for the serious eaters; spuds, cornish pasties, pizzas, seafood, oriental, chips, pancakes, doughnuts, to name but a few of the culinary delights on offer, some of which could be enjoyed to the accompaniment of live jazz, and can later be washed down with a jar or two at the Stockman.   
For the posh serious eaters there is only one place to be seen at, and that is at the Vice Presidents Marquee. This area is reserved for those involved in Show organisation, and for those who pay to be VPs. The area provides the best view of the Main Ring, a bar well stocked with local ales, and the main Restaurant. And the restaurant was where the E& O Ball was held and where it all started. Oh, and there was also the Historic Vehicle
Display. - And I'm Sure I've missed out a loads of things but this little tour is
only to give you a taster. You will have to come along yourself to have
a proper look. You may need two days !
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