The Organisers of the Dorset County Show have announced that the Show will not take place this year, due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
The Board of Management of the Dorset County Show Committee has made the decision after closely monitoring government guidance over the past months, recognising the health and safety of everyone involved with the Show as its biggest priority.
Rebecca Hill, Chairman of the Dorset County Show commented: “It is with a heavy heart that the Board of Management has decided to cancel the Dorset County Show, which was due to take place this year on 5th and 6th September. This decision was incredibly difficult to make, however, first and foremost we must put the safety and welfare of our visitors, members, volunteers, exhibitors, staff, and traders above all else. We feel it is impossible to hold a Show of the same quality and standard that members of our community know and love, with social distancing measures in place as they should be.
“We recognise how disappointing this news will be to many, but we would like to take this opportunity to thank all key workers who continue to work incredibly hard to help us tackle COVID-19. We must help them as much as we can, ensuring we are not causing even more of a strain on all services.
“We would like to thank everyone for their support over the years and throughout this difficult time, as well as all of those involved in the hard work that has gone into planning for this year. Preparations are now in place for our 2021 Show, and we will look forward to welcoming everyone then.”
The Dorset County Show, now in its 180th year, is a well-established annual fixture in the county calendar for both the agricultural industry and local community, typically seeing around 60,000 visitors over the two-day event. Taking place at the end of the summer, the Show aligns with the end of the harvest season, allowing farmers a chance to celebrate and spend time with others within the industry. The Show also ties into the end of the school holidays, where families can enjoy a social event together before the school year starts again.
For more information about the Dorset County Show, visit www.dorsetcountyshow.co.uk.
