Suffolk’s show and festival season gets off to bright start

Event organisers were buoyed by some remarkable and even record-breaking post-pandemic attendances last year as lockdown ended.

But ahead of this season many have been nervous about the potential impact of the cost-of-living crisis on numbers.

Despite their own costs rising, organisers have been careful to keep ticketing prices down in order to keep their events accessible.

And the first of a bumper few weeks for events across the county showed the public was still keen to get out and have some fun as they turned out in their thousands for the South Suffolk Show at Ampton, near Bury St Edmunds, Weird and Wonderful Wood weekend at Haughley Park, Stowmarket, and the Otley Big Day Out at Suffolk Rural.

Saturday was the chillier of the two days but by Sunday – the day of the South Suffolk Show – the weather was glorious.

That helped it to an estimated 10,000 to 12,000-strong attendance – in spite of some problems which developed mid-morning with card machine issues leading to queues and long waits to get onto the showground for some.

Meanwhile, Weird and Wonderful Wood drew crowds of about 10,000 over the two days while Otley Big Day Out attracted around 3,500 visitors.

Metfield pig farmer – honorary president at this year’s South Suffolk Show – said although organisers didn’t get an exact count as a result of the card machine failures it was on a par with or close to last year which was a record year.

“It’s a day that I won’t forget. Everything came together and it went very, very smoothly – apart from the one thing,” he said. “I can only apologise on behalf of the show that we had some problems getting the public onto the showground.”

The consensus from the trade stands was they had a “very successful day”, he said, with some already wanting to book ahead for next year, and livestock numbers held up “exceptionally well”.

With the weather looking inclement in the lead-up, there were some concerns – but they evaporated on the day. He praised the president’s lunch and members’ lunch prepared by West Suffolk College catering students. 

“I think it proved you can put on a  good event at the right price – irrespective of people’s concerns,” he said.”There was something for everybody there.”

He added: We couldn’t have done it any better.”

Weird and Wonderful Wood co-organiser Sarah Barker said this year’s two-day event had lived up to expectations.

“It was fantastic. The atmosphere was just one of sheer fun and excitement. Just literally everywhere you could see smiling faces all over the place and bursts of laughter,” she said. “People were very pleased to be back.”

But she added: “I think every event is nervous at the moment because of the cost of living crisis but our ethos is to keep costs down.”

Despite their economic woes, families were keen to create some happy memories, she said.

Suffolk New College spokesman John Nice said organisers of the Otley Big Day Out were very pleased with how it went. “We were chuffed to get that kind of number and there was a really nice vibe,” he said.

The fun is set to continue on Saturday, May 20, with the Hadleigh Show.