A question mark hangs over the future of next year’s major agricultural shows as tougher Covid restrictions come into place once again.
The Suffolk Show has already been cancelled for 2021, but a series of smaller, more focused events are being planned.
Yorkshire Agricultural Society remained positive it could hold the Great Yorkshire Show in 2021 with some modifications, and the National Sheep Association said it was optimistic its events would be able to go ahead next year.
The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society has put a decision on the Royal Welsh Show on hold ‘until the new year’.
The society said: “We continue to plan for a range of events next year and very much look forward to welcoming our thousands of supporters back to the showground.”
Funding gap
In Scotland, the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland has already raised £70,000 to plug a funding gap.
The society set a £2 million fundraising target to make up for the £6m of lost income from the cancelled 2020 Royal Highland Show and other events.
As things stand, there is a determination to hold a Royal Highland Show next year and four different scenarios have been modelled.
Meanwhile, no decision has been taken on whether the Royal Northern Spring Show will go ahead in its normal format.
A spokesperson for Royal Ulster Agricultural Society said it has instigated a review of the 2021 Balmoral Show dates.