Meet a field full of experts

By IW Observer.co.uk Jun 13, 2022

What do you get if you cross the Commanding Officer of The Queen’s Colour Squadron with a goat farmer and an owl expert? That’s right, it’s the line-up for the Royal Isle of Wight County Show Theatre. These are just some of the speakers appearing at this year’s event on June 25 and 26 at the Showground in Northwood.

The Theatre’s Saturday schedule begins with the Great Schools Debate, four primary school teams argue it out over two debates. Then there’s a Q&A session with the Commanding Officer of the Queen’s Colour Squadron.

The afternoon talks feature a series of animal experts. There’s an owl talk from one of the keepers at Monkey Haven – as well as rescuing primates they operate a bird of prey rescue and release programme. You can learn about goat farming and how a four year search for the perfect deer farm location ended up on the Isle of Wight. There are environmental talks from IW Council – Mission Zero 2040 (The Island’s climate change strategy) and The Importance of Trees.

Sunday’s Theatre schedule sees the return of the Queen’s Colour Squadron’s Commanding Officer. There’s an opportunity for the audience to ‘ask the experts’ – Gardeners’ Question Time has a panel of horticultural pros ready to answer queries on all things flower, fruit and vegetable. This is followed by Ask the Vet; Veterinary Surgeons, Green, Roberts & Butler are on call to answer your domestic pet queries. To submit a question to either of these panels see page 8.

The organisers are delighted to have Bob Seeley MP appearing to talk about the Island’s future and opportunities. Followed by a talk about the Future Farming Resilience Fund, explaining how farmers and land managers can develop their businesses in an ever changing world.

Sunday’s final session is the Rural Business Awards. The winners of this year’s awards are revealed, including Wight Marque Food Business of the Year and Rural Tourism Business of the Year.

Want to know the difference between an Angus and a Shorthorn? Throughout the Showground you can get expert advice from farmers, producers, makers and exhibitors about pretty much anything rural related, from livestock and poultry to hurdle making and maintaining a vintage tractor.

Day ticket: £10.50 online (£12.50 on the gate). Weekend ticket: £15 online (£20 on the gate). Under 16s are free with a paying adult.

Tickets and info: iwcountyshow.co.uk