Burwarton Show suffers loss due to rain

The show, which takes place near Bridgnorth is among the biggest one-day events of its kind across the country.

And while hundreds donned wellies and raincoats to brave the rain in August 2017, gates were down and the show failed to perform as well as it has done in previous years.

Despite this, organisers still made a £8,000 donation to charitable causes – leaving an overall deficit of £10,000.

Chair of the show, Mary Williams insisted the loss was down to the weather and said the accounts were sound moving forward.

She said: "At last year's show we found the gates were slightly down due to the poor weather on the day.

"After we gave various charitable grants out and have to make some depreciation on goods we've bought in the past, there was an accounting loss.

"In the bank account we've got about even than when we started.

"We did make a small loss due to bad weather but that's the nature of the show. We depend on one day of income and if the weather is bad people might not come.

"Preparations for the next event start the day after the show, we can pray for good weather and hope it's a good day.

"It does depend a lot on weather. You get people who open the curtains and if it's a bit miserable they'll stay at home but if it's nice people will come.

"We need to convince the people at home to come along."

Meanwhile, agricultural trade stands had a bumper year at the Burwarton Show as more farmers turned out to the event.

There are a number of new attractions on the way at this year's show on August 2, which organisers hope will draw in the crowds.

Among them is The Hogg Show – featuring rare pigs "as they've never been seen before".

Mrs Williams added: "This year cause the weather wasn't so good but there were more farmers coming along.

"Agricultural trade stands had a bumper year and did really well. The farmers support us hugely and we always received good support from them.

"We've got a few new things lined up for this year. There will be The Hogg Show and we're in negotiations about doing a butchery demonstrations and hope that will come into fruition."

Bridgnorth Journal columnist and writer Henry Yates was disappointed by the show figures.

He said: "The 2017 show was not blessed with the best of weather, being showery in the morning which must have put a few people off; though the crowd looked a good one, numbers coming through the gate were down.

"On the other hand the machinery stands were happy as all the farmers turned up, not being able to harvest.

"The accounts showed a loss, which I cannot remember happening before at Burwarton except for the couple of times the show had to be cancelled.

"The deficit being £10,000 after giving £8,000 away as a charity, on such items as £4,000 for a tractor presented to Oak Farm at Ditton Priors, and grants to local young farmers requesting help on foreign agricultural studies.

"The overall picture of Burwarton is a good one. Its finances are sound having built up over the years. Being judged the Best in the UK a year or two back. The reality is that it cannot go on upwards forever, and must now consolidate – there is already a rush to book trade stands for August 2"

For more information on the Burwarton Show or to book a trade stand go to www.burwartonshow.co.uk or call 01746 787535