The Kent County Show opens its gates to thousands of visitors for a three-day showcase of all things Kentish

Published: 15:01, 12 July 2015

It entertained with world class attractions and hair-raising displays, but the 86th Kent County Show has come to end.

Up to 80,000 people are expected to have attended the show, which was held at the Kent Showground in Detling, near Maidstone.

Visitors enjoyed a warm opening day, with temperatures rising to 22C and barely a cloud in the sky.

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Kayley Asten of High Weald Academy in the over 18 handlers competition

And the organisers secured a massive coup, booking the Red Arrows which soared above the showground on Friday afternoon.

"It's a lovely day for it," said Donald Cox, who travelled from Sidcup with his daughter Debbie Morris.

"We couldn't have asked for more on the weather front. It is much better than last year."

The Red Arrows flying over the showground

Thousands of people looked to the skies as a Spitfire flew past just after 12.30pm.

"It's a beautiful day," said Alan Austen from Gravesend. "We come every year. We love everything about it."

However, Operation Stack initially caused delays for some visitors.

"There was a long queue from the bottom of Blue Bell Hill," added Mr Austen.

"It's a bit slow but it's moving. It's not too bad."

The traffic eased yesterday, after the motorway was reopened to regular traffic overnight.

Andrea and Alan Apps from Boughton Monchelsea Morris

Alan and Anthea Apps were performing with the Boughton Monchelsea Morris Dancers on Sunday.

Mrs Apps, 71, said: "It has been a good day and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. We've only been once before. My highlight is watching the sheep shearing."

Chegworth Valley Ltd, based in Harrietsham, was doing a flying trade on juices and fresh fruit.

David Gall, who was running one of the firm's three stalls, said: "Trade has been good.

"People aren't just trying the juices, they are buying as well which is nice. It's my first time at the show and it is fantastic.

"I was brought up as a game keeper going to game fairs and this is just like them."

Matt Baker from Countryfile with Brockhill Park young farmers

Show manager Lucy Hegarty said: “The Kent County Show has listened carefully to our visitors and now has more entertainment, displays and activities to make it a real value for money day out."

Large crowds gathered for the cattle competitions but some visitors were not entirely happy.

"This used to have lorries full of machinery from Kent's industries but there isn't so much of that now," said John Homes, of chestnut fencing manufacturer EJ Holmes and Sons in Maidstone.

"You don't see enough of the traditional Kent skills any more. It's just full of food and eating places."

Emma Laversuch gets up close to some of the pigs

Mercedes Duvall of Homewood with her champion home reared dairy

The showground has three dedicated equine rings, where competitors competed to win rosettes, trophies or to qualify for the national Horse of the Year Show, and there was a grand parade of livestock each afternoon, while overhead on all three days the Biggin Hill Heritage Spitfire did a flypast.

There were falconry displays, working dogs, terrier racing, dogs and ducks display and the Husqvarna UK Pole Climbing Championships, which debuted at last year’s event.

On Saturday climbers came close to Grant Gallier's 9.07 secs world record for scaling the 25m poles.

Woodland crafts were also be in evidence, along with working horses, rural crafts and the ever-popular Heritage Ring had a full agenda with different vehicles being displayed throughout the day.

Kent’s Young Farmers were showing their carefully prepared livestock, while the Fur and Feather Marquee and Kent Poultry Club marquee allowed visitors to see chickens, ducks and rabbits.

BBC Countryfile presenter Adam Henson was the guest speaker for the IOD Kent (Institute of Directors) breakfast on Friday, while Tom Dyke Hart was the guest speaker for the chairman’s official lunch on Saturday.

He hit the headlines in 2000 when he was kidnapped with a friend while on a mission to find a rare orchid in the Colombian jungle.

There were also popular sheep shearing displays and Bob Hogg’s Lamb National, which appeared for the first time at the show last year, and sees the sheep competing with mini riders bobbing on their backs as they run.

Back by popular demand was be the 7ft giant, Titan the Robot, interacting with the crowds and for the first time there were free donkey rides and circus workshops.