Many are hoping this summer will mark the return of the popular agricultural showcases across the country.
But after two years of cancelations and a surge in recent Covid-19 infections marring the start of the 2022 show season, discussions around holding events or what these might look like in a new normal are likely to be unveiling fresh challenges at every turn.
Paul Hooper, secretary of the Association of Shows and Agricultural Organisations (ASAO), spoke toFarmers Guardianon how shows have navigated the last two years - from plugging the funding gap, to the staffing situation and thoughts on whether events will be going ahead in 2022.
Q: How successful were events that were able to go ahead in 2021?
A: Discussions with organisers paint a positive feeling. Reports from the Royal Welsh Winter Fair [which took place in November 2021] for example were good; the event was busy and had a good buzz.
Good attendance at 2021 shows which went ahead serves as reinforcement that there is demand from exhibitors and the general public and hopefully events will continue to be well supported in the future.
Agricultural shows are there to support their communities, to educate the urban and rural interface and, undoubtedly, as a shop window for British agriculture which many use to enhance their business.
But we have all got to get used to the fact that things will change and there will be some restrictions going forward, although what they will be and when for 2022 is unclear.
Q: Is there support for individuals and committees as events plan to get going again?
A: A newly launchedLantra online training scheme is looking to remind people about skills and the health and safety requirements involved in running an event.
We have also been working with trading standards, APHA and others to facilitate support for events, via regional meetings, in making sure paperwork requirements are up to date.
Q: Is there support for individuals and committees as events plan to get going again?
A: A newly launchedLantra online training scheme is looking to remind people about skills and the health and safety requirements involved in running an event.
We have also been working with trading standards, APHA and others to facilitate support for events, via regional meetings, in making sure paperwork requirements are up to date.
Q: What financial support has been offered to shows?
A: Support has been different across each of the devolved nations. In Wales there has been some grant support [including Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths announcement of 200,000 of support for the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society for 2020-21 and a new online rural event training course to be delivered by Lantra launched in November 2021.
Scotland has also offered grant support for some local shows and larger events [the replacement Royal Highland Showcase event attracted a 750,000 Event Scotland grant and a 500,000 income in other donations was raised, including 250,000 through the ongoing Save Your Show campaign].
In Northern Ireland there has been no funding support up to now, while in England, support through district councils has been the only kind available so far for the show industry. Varying requirements to obtain this between regions has meant some events have been able to access funding while others have not.
Q: How has the staffing structure been impacted?
A: The staff situation is different across the board. Some events have not done anything for two years and there has been a lot of staff on furlough. Some have not come back or have been made redundant. There are quite a few job vacancies in the industry at all levels. But ultimately a lot of posts are voluntary. There is a worry that a lot of knowledge has been lost in the industry.
Q: What about overseas labour issues?
A: Contractors are a main stumbling block. With the reduction of European labour availability, a lot of contractors are short staffed. We are finding a general issue for many shows and events is the availability and cost of contractors which is extremely restrictive. Especially for the majority that are run as charities they have not got the money to make early bookings to guarantee the infrastructure needed for an event to go ahead.
Q: What is the feeling among members for 2022 events?
A:Shows are generally looking forward to events and confirming dates, but there are some events that are still debating what their future will look like.
So far, four member shows have confirmed a change. Cleveland Show in Middlesbrough has folded, while Cambridgeshire and Monmouthshire shows will not take place in 2022.
Bakewell Show in Derbyshire has confirmed a rejuvenation of the show as it was in terms of size and scale and has said it will come back slightly differently.
Cost is a major concern though, with debates ongoing around how these will be met as many committees are reluctant to put up entry prices and so on for fear of pricing out visitors also under pressure finically.
