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Show draws thousands despite rain on opening day

Jonathan MorrisSouth West
News imageBBC A brightly coloured vintage carousel decorated with lights and painted horses is set up on grass at a fairground, with “Hayward Brothers” written across the top. Union Jack flags fly above the ride, and a large striped tent stands in the background, adding to the traditional fair atmosphere.BBC
Traditional fairground rides are all part of the Royal Cornwall Show

Thousands of people have defied the wet weather for day one of the Royal Cornwall Show.

The event is huge for Cornwall's food, farming and business community and also an important event for local charities to attract volunteers and donations.

The show, which runs from Thursday to Saturday at the Royal Cornwall Showground near Wadebridge, is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors for a celebration of farming, food and rural life.

It began life in 1793 as a ploughing match, before growing into an event with about 1,000 trade stands, livestock competitions, arena entertainment, food and drink, and live music.

News imageA group of people stand and walk along a pathway holding open umbrellas on a grey, rainy day, with large white event tents set up in the background. The scene looks like an outdoor show or fair, with crowds moving between stalls while sheltering from the rain.
News imageA black-and-pink spotted pig is walking across a grassy area, with its body clearly visible from the side. Behind the pig, parts of a person and folded chairs can be seen, suggesting the scene is at an outdoor event or show.
Many visitors bought brollies and coats after rain was forecast
A black-and-pink spotted pig at the Royal Cornwall Show
News imageAn aerial view shows a large outdoor agricultural show with rows of white tents, machinery displays and parked vehicles spread across a field. Crowds, tractors, food vans and exhibition stands are arranged along wide pathways, with farmland and rolling countryside stretching into the distance.
The Royal Cornwall Show features about 1,000 trade stands

A jungle of greenery and rows of homegrown vegetables greeted crowds inside the flower marquee.

At the entrance, The National Garden Scheme created a show garden to highlight the link between gardening and wellbeing.

County organiser Claire Woodbine said: "The display is fantastic because so many people are so generous.

"Gardening is so important for all our health and wellbeing because being creative in a garden just makes you feel so much better."

News imageA person in a high‑visibility vest is standing behind a display of leafy plants inside a large tent. Around them are gardening supplies, cardboard boxes, potted flowers and equipment, suggesting a plant stall or show exhibit.
Richard Budge is among those displaying vegetables at the Royal Cornwall Show near Wadebridge

Garden designers showing their work include Graham Sykes who said he had leaned fully into bold planting: "I had a bit of a jungle theme this year, I'm very much into jungle foliage."

Richard Budge has his vegetable display at the centre of the marquee.

He said: "It's all been grown at home in my own tunnels on my own allotment.

"I spent £25 on seeds this year", he said, joking: "I'm a Cornishman, quite frugal."

Despite the effort, he said: "It does take a bit of time, but I love it."

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