The Bathurst Show 2014

The Bathurst Show is organised by the Bathurst Agricultural Society, probably around a pint in 'The Pig and Whistle'. It takes place around this time every year so that I was fortunate enough to be able to visit on the afternoons of Friday and Saturday the 4thand 5thApril. I was thinking of heading the post 'Little Britain' and I do not mean this in a derogatory sense, perhaps it is the same in agricultural communities the world over, but this was a reassuring reminder of the shows I attended as a child with my parents and brothers and sisters and later with nieces and nephews and it gave a warm feeling being so far from home and having travelled so long.


Turn left out of Bathurst on the main Grahamstown road, drive to the top of the hill and you will see the Agricultural Museum on your right. The show is held in their grounds and the entrance is a few hundred metres further on. Driving down the dirt track there were plenty of attendants on hand to direct me into a parking spot in one of the surrounding fields (a reminder of many traction engine rallies and shows at home). Through the entrance lobby R50.00 for a one-day pass or R80.00 for a multi-day pass, a no-brainer really.






Inside you are met with the warm smells of straw and other produce and the noise of farm machinery, livestock and fairground. A plethora of sights to match. These events are full of interesting exhibits, stands of machinery and all things agricultural, a host of skills being demonstrated from lace-making to sheep sheering, organic olives and honey to taste and unusual delicacies such as billatong (a softer version of the cowboy beef jerky) and lamb spit braai roll – beats a hot dog any day of the week!

I wandered around the site taking in the sights and sounds and chatting to people who were very friendly and informative. Some had originated from England, some had visited there. The chap on the solar powered electric fence stand had visited the agricultural show at Birmingham NEC. The sun was shining so that it was very fortunate that there were plenty of watering holes to sit and partake of a local brew or two. The site even has its own pub compete with outdoor wide-screen TV to keep up to date with the cricket. Sadly South Africa did not make it to the final.

Show jumping, dressage, dog shows, livestock judging, pineapple judging, the fairground and an exhibition by the South African Army who see active service in peace keeping duties in various parts of the African continent, but best of all – lots and lots of tractors and other big boys (and an increasing number of girls) toys! There is also live music and dancing in the evenings but I didn't fancy driving at nigh yet, it gets really dark here and no street lights.


It was a pleasure to enjoy two days strolling, sitting and watching – NICE!






Location: Bathurst, South Africa

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