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| Enjoying a day at the 2012 Malvern Autumn Show |
Can you have a love affair with a
place, or days in time? A longing to re-visit, because of the inspiration you
know is there, waiting for you to discover it? It is like this for me whenever
I am heading towards the Malvern Hills and the Three Counties Showground; and
today, I am there again in spirit, for I begin previewing this year’s Malvern
Autumn Show in earnest, with weekly posts between now and the actual Show
(28th-29th September, 2013).
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| Tea in a vintage caravan |
If you have only just discovered
Ann’s Malvern Jotter, let me explain: it provides a series of posts to help you enjoy your
visit to a specific Show, so you will know in outline what to expect, leaving
you more time when you arrive at the Showground to enjoy your visit. There’s always
so much to do and see that a ‘first-timer’ can find it all somewhat
bewildering. It’s a bit like the first day at secondary school, it always helps to have someone metaphorically hold your hand; by the second year you know the ropes. (Apologies to readers
who already follow the Blog, you will understand and know what I mean.)
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| Enticing display in the Good Life Pavilion (2012) |
Every Show at Malvern provides old
favourites and many new aspects and themes, and this year’s Autumn Show is no
exception. With the focus on Grow Your Own and a healthy, sustainable
lifestyle, food and its provenance including cookery, there is very much a
feeling of harvest in all its senses. New for this year is that the Cookery
Theatre will be centre-stage in Avon Hall (south side of the Showground) and home
of the ‘Festival of Food and Drink’.
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| Learning new skills: by the Fishing Lake (2011) |
Apart from that, there’s an
emphasis on education in the Discovery Zone, including - by the lake - fishing and pond-cam, pumpkin factory and mushrooms for the masses. There’s
also a Plant Fair featuring nurseries who have never exhibited at Malvern
before. 'Landscaping Live' continues to promote the benefits of quality
landscaping for an average garden, whether this is through engaging the right
professional or a DIY project. For 2013 it has been agreed to have one garden
with parts of this being worked on during the show. The Show organisers are delighted to be working on this
project with Acorn’s Hospice to celebrate their 25th anniversary.
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| Vintage farm machine still in working order (2012) |
Other returning
‘regulars’ are the Midland Championships for the National Vegetable Society and
the National Finals of the Young Farmers Tug of War Competition with teams from
all over England (Saturday only), plus various activities in the Forestry
section. Always enjoyed is The Orchard Pavilion, and 'edible' show gardens in the
Good Life Pavilion. The programme this year in the Activity Arena includes a
Dog Agility competition final on each day, and a daily parades of dogs, horses
and other animals in the World of Animals area. Not to be ignored are other
distinct features: the Harvest Pavilion, Forgotten Skills, Country Pursuits
Marquee, Blacksmithing and Archery plus shopping opportunities galore, including
a Plant Fair, Guild of Crafts from Herefordshire, Worcestershire and
Gloucestershire, Countryside Shopping Pavilion and stands all around the
Showground.
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| I'm discussing a fine crop of apples in the Orchard Pavilion (2012) |
There is so much more to tell you about
on my list including the many desirable activities and exhibits on the theme of Nostalgia. This
post is just a taster; all in all the Malvern Autumn Show is an event with a great atmosphere and
something for everyone. I’ll be back next week with the next Preview, and meanwhile, please keep visiting the various links provided in this
Blog - and remember to purchase tickets so you can enjoy all that is on offer.
All images in this post courtesy of Ray
Quinton,
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