Bosses at one of Britain’s most scenic showgrounds called in a bit of help from Gloucester Rugby to help the Three Counties Show survive the downpours which have brought chaos across the country.
Chief Executive of Three Counties Showground Ken Nottage also praised his innovative team who have led a five-year programme to weather-proof the venue just over the Gloucestershire border in Malvern.
It proved a resounding success as the first day of the Royal Three Counties Show shrugged off torrential rain to ensure the thousands of visitors who braved the showers to attend didn’t miss out on any of the planned entertainment and competitions.
Mr Nottage said they had targeted drainage across the showground at the foot of the Malvern Hills to cope with any access water.
He said he had drafted in the lead groundskeeper from Gloucester Rugby Club Dave Balmer who had introduced a number of measures including planting superior grass with greater density and absorption to counteract boggy conditions caused by flooding.
"Sitting at the foot of the Malvern Hills it was a significant project to counteract where the water would naturally flow within the showground but that was part of our targeted approach to be ready for any conditions the British weather might throw at us,’ he added.
“I feel it has paid off in that this scheme of works has saved us from having to close and we have seen some particularly adverse conditions this week. In the midst of those conditions, the showground has stood up to this extreme test of the work we have carried out. “Conditions underfoot have remained really good within the showground and access throughout our first day also good and we are confident they will remain so throughout the weekend.”
The show continues today and Sunday with more than 6,000 animals expected to be on the showground over the weekend in one of Britain’s biggest celebrations of rural life.
Highlights include the Young Farmers providing entertainment with a soapbox race on Saturday and a Santa Race on Sunday.
Tickets are still available for the rest of the weekend www.royalthreecounties.co.uk/buy-tickets .
