Turriff Show: Work continues behind the scenes with less than a week to go
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As the countdown to the much anticipated return of Turriff Show which starts its two day run on Sunday continues, behind the scenes work is continuing at a pace as the Haughs get set to welcome thousands of visitors from across the country.
Turriff Show takes place on Sunday, July 31 and Monday, August 1 and acts as a showcase for farming, agriculture, food and drink, animal husbandry and a host of associated businesses from across the north-east and beyond.
Since 1864 the event has continued to grow and now offers over £85,000 in prize money and 330 trophies over 1500 classes ranging from the best cattle, sheep and horses, through to working dogs and vintage vehicles.
This year also sees the event host the National Highland Cattle showcase on the Monday, with royal patronage from the Princess Royal who will present the Champion of Champion's award.
But an event like this doesn't happen all by itself and a dedicated team have been busy working to bring together all the elements.
President Alan Gaul said: "The public's feedback on the work being done has been fantastic, it has taken a lot of hard work to get to where we are just now as the Covid period was not kind to the Haughs.
"The public are grateful for the work that has been done in tidying up the areas."
While a lot of the work, while vital, goes un-noticed such as new sewerage connections, one of the more visible changes this year is the removal of a large section of the old plank seating round the show ring.
As Alan explained: "It is a family show and a family together didn't really get that gathering feeling with the way the seating was.
"What we have done is removed this and instead we are going to put in removable seating in the form of new picnic tables that can be used for other events.
"This will allow families to watch together and gives more space for pushchairs and buggies as well."
Elsewhere the old cricket pavilion building has been demolished and the site levelled, and this year it will see a members pavilion tent, with longer term plans looking at a replacement facility.
A 30 strong team from Turriff and District JAC and Turriff United youth football club did their part and helped erect the hundreds of metres of security fencing around the site and from today the site will start to see the arrival of machinery and vehicles for the many business displays.
Alan concluded: "We hope to see a great crowd this year after our enforced time off and a welcome return for this landmark show".
Discounted tickets for Turriff Show https://www.turriffshow.org/ are available until July 28.
