Setting Up.

Well, this afternoon we’ve visited the showground, found our space in the Craft Tent and Helen’s all set up and ready to go. We weren’t alone, it seemed that a good number of others had the same idea and the marquee was full of familiar faces, all intent on getting a head start for tomorrow’s grand affair.

Outside on the showground the trade stands obviously had a few days head start on everyone else, the heavy agricultural machinery, much in evidence, was set out in impressive style. Not that it could fail to be impressive given the size of much of it, I’m sure that the machine’s size would be duly mirrored by it’s cost, a small fortune no doubt. Everything pristine, shiny, polished to within an inch of the sales staff’s life and awaiting customers who will need an equally impressively sized wallet or cheque book in order to make a purchase.

It’s a far cry from days of my childhood when my mother and grandmother would take us children to the market town of Hereford on a Wednesday where the highlight of the day would be a visit to the local livestock market where I would be allowed to sit on the tractors, all of which seemed impressive to a pre-school child but would be dwarfed my these incredible machines today. Simply put, things have moved on, progress comes in many forms but touches all walks of life including that of the countryside, but whatever the size or cost of the machinery there is still a connect with the past, the agricultural show is still alive and kicking, making memories for a whole new generation.