Summer Show 2022 Report

The 13th of August saw the return of the Framfield and Blackboys Summer Show after the difficulties caused of the past couple of years. It was an extremely hot day! The whole endeavour was a testament to the Summer Show Committee who put in the work to make the Summer Show 2022 take place, trying to recall all the details of what we do! 

As always, people just appear to assist in the setting up of all the paraphernalia of the event as the community congregates for the biggest celebration of what the parish does together.

 I have to thank ALL the helpers in whatever capacity they joined in with the preparations and dismantling. 

The Summer Show itself was as much a success as always despite the weather being unhelpful.  There were fewer entries in the competition sections, but the standards were just as good as ever.  

There were some stunning blooms and flower arrangements as well as a range of tasty, cooked produce and creative photograph entries. I am hoping that we can get back to the more normal entry numbers in 2023 when the weather might be more conducive to successful vegetable and flower growing and the heat less of a barrier. We need you to have a go! 

I would like to thank all of the judges, stewards and anyone who took the time to enter something in the 124 categories we have. It was overheard that “it was good that the show is still one of the bigger village shows and that it was back this year.” We like to think “The Summer Show Is Back!” 

The field and arena were a hive of activity, with stalls-a-plenty of all types and the area hosted a range of events to entertain including the Eastbourne Scottish Pipe Band, children’s games, The Hopper’s Derby and the return of the Egg Throwing Championship. 

Around the arena were a creative range of scarecrows competing for the two monetary prizes.  From the head in the soil “Mole Catcher” to Leah the Football Captain via the Flowerpot Men, the range was stunning, and it was very difficult to reach a decision in both the family and child categories.

 I would like to thank GTD for their sponsorship in respect of the prizes. For this part of the show, we were joined by TV chef Marcus Waring and his film crew, with Marcus entering his own scarecrow for part of his second series of Tales from the Kitchen Garden. We look forward to seeing our Summer Show on the BBC in 2023! 

With the temperature above 35ºC the refreshments and bar were busy. I would like to thank Harvey’s and Three Acre breweries along with Bignose and Beardy cider for their contributions as well as the staffing teams that ran these so efficiently in trying conditions. 

Regretfully, after all the preparations we had to cancel the Dog Show element of the day for the safety of the dogs themselves in the heat. Rest assured we fully intend to bring back the Fun Dog Show in 2023.  

However, we were delighted to be joined by some Blackboys alpacas who will return next year!  Thank you to all who helped or came along to support the Summer Show.

 We look forward to seeing you next year! And please consider entering into the competition sections or adding your name to the ever-growing list of helpers that make the  Framfield and Blackboys Summer Show such a success.   (Contact terry.everitt@outlook.com) 

Terry Everitt, Framfield and Blackboys Summer Show Chair 

See the report and the results on the attached file below