The August Bank Holiday weekend saw the return of the Ipstones Agricultural Show, a local event to IAE.
Not only did the show return this year for the first time in 3 years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it also commemorated its 70th anniversary of the show. Held on the Ipstones Memorial Recreational Ground, the one day event includes a vast array of spectacles and events ranging from livestock showing, to classic cars, to heavy horses and everything in between. A large variety of trade stands also complete the event making it a fantastic day out for all the family.
This years show was particularly special as they asked our Managing Director and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Klucznik to officially open the event. At midday crowds gathered around the main ring to listen to a very heartfelt speech from the Chairman of the show committee, which was closely followed by a short speech from Frank Klucznik in which he said the following:
Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my privilege to have been asked here today to open the 70th Ipstones Agricultural Show. As a member of the founding family of IAE, we recognise how important these milestone events are. Having recently celebrated our 50th anniversary of the company in 2019, it is an excellent opportunity to reflect on how far we have come over several decades and how important such events are.
As a resident of Ipstones village, it was welcome news to hear that the show would return this year, following on from the Covid-19 pandemic. Not only is the event key for bringing the local community together, it is also an excellent opportunity to champion British Agriculture. Many exhibitors will have travelled from far and wide to be here today to exhibit their livestock, produce or business.
As I reflect on this show, celebrating its 70th anniversary today, it leads me to realise how important such an event can be, for both the local community, the general public and British Agriculture. To sustain all of this, we must continue to support the event and I hope in a further 70 years’ time, the event will still be running and drawing such fantastic crowds, just as it has done today.
I hope you all have a fantastic day today, especially as we have been blessed with such great weather. Thank you.
Upon completion of the opening of the show the main ring took off, hosting demonstrations from mountain rescue dogs, racing sheep and much more.
As the champion sponsor of the event, Mr. and Mrs. Klucznik were honoured to be asked back into the main ring later on in the day to present the awards and trophies to the livestock and their exhibitors during the grand parade. The standard of exhibits was truly phenomenal and it was fantastic to see livestock handlers going to such efforts to put their very best animals forward.
We hope that the day was a fantastic success for all involved with the Ipstones Agricultural Show; that being the show committee, exhibitors and visitors who attended on the day. For IAE it was very pleasing to see the event return after a tough three years and we are very grateful to have been asked to be a part of the day.