It’s poignant that at a time when there are renewed calls to celebrate Britishness and St George’s Day, we are set to lose Britain’s most prestigious agricultural event, the Royal Show, as we know it.
Was it just a run of bad luck due to poor weather, foot and mouth and bluetongue? Or was it bad planning and failing to keep up with the times? Maybe after 160 years, it’s time for the Show to have a new look to engage publics.
Agriculture needs an infusion of new blood to take it forward to the next generation and ensure our future food security. We need to connect agriculture to the public because its role is so vital. 
I am glad the Show will continue, though we do not know yet in what format. There is something very British about this Show, and its demise is another blow for the Britishness we are trying to promote.
*Another sad loss for me is the closure of the Press Gazette as a published magazine. This used to be my bible as a cub reporter, but will now only available online. With the terrible demise of regional newspapers and the printed media, it is not at all surprising.
Another end to another era…
Hi Ellee..What is “Britishness”? This country lost it years ago. British is no longer. We are a Multi Cultural country. And whatever someone tries to do to save what we have, someone steps in an over rules it. We cannot fly the Union Jack for upsetting certain people, we cannot fly the St George flag even though it is our flag..
It is such a sad loss for your local paper, it is all down to the government..They have lost it. And at the moment are in the news for all the wrong reasons.
I have no faith in any of the politians of this country…they are out for anything they can get..I feel sorry for the people who cannot fight for themselves, and if I could sit outside parliment for them I would.
Half the remaining local papers seem to be run by one person as well – it cant be long before more of them go…
Many people are also unaware that, as far as the EU is concerned, England no longer exists as a country but is now divided into several regions. (Sorry, I can’t remember just how many off-hand.)
This is very sad indeed, it is the seemingly insignificant “little things” such as the Show that give a country, county or place its unique identity and character.
David T Breaker
http://newsjunction.co.uk
Whatever will they talk about on “The Archers”?!
I think it’s a shame one of the largest county shows in England will be no more; gone to the same place as the Royal Tournament.
I used to love country shows such as the East of England and the country/county shows such as the Suffolk Show and the Burwarton Show. Always lots to see and do and great for the rural economy as well as a great place for kids to learn about farming and the countryside.
Probably Foot and Mouth has something to do with its demise but also, as some people have mentioned, the lack of pride certain parts of our population have in their country have a lot to do with it.