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by Chris Hunter

chunter@thekmgroup.co.u

The sky's been glowering for most of the morning but
visitors to the 80th Kent Show at Detling - including the
Earl and Countess of Wessex - have so far escaped a
soaking.

Prince Edward and his wife Sophie arrived at the Kent Showground
just after 10am, where they were greeted by crowds and welcomed
by George Jessel, Deputy Lieutenant and Chairman of the Kent
County Agricultural Society.

Mr Jessel bravely assured the Prince the weather would
remain dry but for "a small shower", before the
Royal party embarked on a tour of the showground on this,
the first day of the 2009 show.

Meanwhile, thousands of visitors have enjoyed the usual mix of
entertainment, from livestock shows to demonstrations
by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery - with
their ‘thirteen pounder’ state saluting gun - and a
singing 10ft robot called Titan.

"This just keeps getting weirder and weirder" remarked Titan at
one point, on being cornered by a husky dog - and he's not
wrong, the County Show seems to get
increasingly eclectic, bizarre and, in turn,
entertaining, every year.

Just yards away in the Countryside Ring a sheepdog adopted
from former gypsy-owners last week was preparing to herd ducks for
the first time in its life.

"He's never done this before" remarked the Australian dog
handler "he just looks at these ducks like burger and chips...
he might eat one."

Fortunately for the small group of Indian Runner ducks
he didn't; the smiling crowds kept smiling, applauded a
thoroughly entertaining show and went onto enjoy the rest
of the afternoon - for a few minutes the sun even came
out.

But remember, if the skies do open over the weekend, News in
Pictures – a Kent Messenger Anniversary Exhibition – is under
cover in the Kent Pavilion showing more than a hundred
pictures from the Kent Messenger’s archives on all three days.