Highlights

Attendance at the 2006 Royal Cornwall Show was the second highest ever.

The total number of people through the gates was 120,178 - only four thousand less than the all-time record set in 2005 when the show attracted 124,162.

Attendance on days one and two was actually up on last year but Saturday's figure was down - probably due to England's world cup match.

Show secretary Christopher Riddle thinks the visitor tally is something to be proud of. Last year was a record - beating the previous one by 5,000. And, as he says, you can't have a record every year.

Traders have reported excellent takings and several have already been in touch asking for more space next year!

This year's show had a packed agricultural machinery section and a very high level of quality entries in the livestock sections - including record numbers of pigs.

"We have a reputation as one of the finest agricultural shows in the country and these entries confirm that. "People come long distances to exhibit here and anyone interested in buying has a vast range of choice," said Chris.

People made good use of the ticket booking service on this new web site. In the weeks leading up to the show, one member of staff was employed full time on dealing with web-based enquiries.

A selection of pictures from the show will shortly be available on the site and the majority of results are already posted. More will be added as they come in.

Beer and football - what a combination!

Want to see England's opening game in the football world cup - AND visit the Royal Cornwall Show?

No problem - just head for the St Austell Brewery bar.

There will be a large-screen plasma television in the bar on the showground.

World cup games will be shown live as they are broadcast from Germany. And there's a mildly important game featuring England on Saturday the 10th of June.

So if you don't want to miss the show - but you also want to see the match - there's only one place to be.

Other local breweries will also be selling their brews on site.

You will be able to buy a thirst-quenching pint from the Skinner's of Truro bar, situated close to the main entrance. And in the Redruth Chamber of Commerce section, Keltec Brewery will be selling take-home packs of their bottled beers.

Competition for schoolchildren attracts record entries.

A flower show competition for schoolchildren to grow busy lizzies has resulted in an astounding 471 individual entries! And flower show trade entries have set a record.

Section chairman Kenneth Willcock says everything is going "tickety boo!"

Judges in the flower tent are going to have their work cut out. A competition for schoolchildren to grow busy lizzies has resulted in an astounding 471 individual entries!

"We expected around 200 so this is fantastic," said horticultural section chairman Kenneth Willcock.

There is a high level of entries in the junior section generally and you will a wonderful selection of cut flowers, trees, shrubs, hanging baskets and patio containers.

Trade entries are at their highest ever - there will be a total of 50, seven more than last year, and as a result much thought has gone into the layout.

"I will have to do things differently this year and even so room will be tight," says Kenneth.

Some of the leading trade entries will occupy space near the entrance, providing a magnificent show as people approach the flower tent. "Everything is going tickety boo," says Kenneth.

See Flower Show for more.

Heard the one about good eating at the Royal Cornwall Show?

Members are in for a real treat this year as one of the county's top restaurateurs produces menus with the "wow factor".

Scott Young, who runs several successful restaurants in Cornwall, is bringing 40 staff and setting up three kitchens to ensure something rather special on the catering front for members at this year's show.

A very new idea is the Bollinger Champagne Garden, run on an Ascot style.

An all-you-can-eat breakfast bar, a world buffet, local pies and beer and a five-star restaurant with a menu that changes daily, offering a two or three course lunch are just some of the treats in store.

See press releases for more and watch this space for more brewery news..

Real ale on tap at the show

A total of three local brewers will be offering tastings and selling their beers at the show this year.

St Austell Brewery, Keltek Brewery and Skinner's of Truro will all have beer for sale.

It is the first time the Cornish brewing industry has been so well represented at the show and is a natural part of the show's promotion of food (and drink) from Cornwall.

Food served in cafes and restaurants on the showground will have an emphasis on local produce and the Food and Farming pavilion will be packed this year.

The pavilion will feature around 50 different producers, all with a distinctly Cornish flavour.

See press releases for more and watch this space for more brewery news..

See Press Releases. Food and Farming for more.

Entries have now closed in the busy lizzie competition for school children.

It's a new feature in the flower tent this year.

Eight schools have entered, with an impressive total of 500 children who will be growing and nurturing their plants for judging at the show.

It's an important event because the winners go through to the national finals, which will be staged during the BBC's Gardener's World Live show, the week after the Royal Cornwall.

Flower show chairman, Kenneth Willcock, is thrilled with the response. "It is terrific. Marvellous," he said. "Last year the competition attracted 200 entries, which is impressive. But with it being held at the Royal Cornwall Show this year, there has been an enormous take up."

See Flower Show for more.

The "Tigers" are dropping in!

The Tigers are the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment's parachute display team. Smoke trailing, flags flying, this free-fall team will be creating amazing displays in the air and under their canopies.

See Main Arena for more.

Western Morning News Stage

A very new feature at this year's show will be "a theatrical, perambulatory extravaganza." What is that? The answer is - we don't know. All we know is that it will be performed by Professor Goodvibes. He's an acclaimed Punch and Judy man but he always has something new up his voluminous sleeve. It probably means he'll be wandering about, entertaining as he goes.

See Western Morning News Stage for more.

Orchids in the flower show

It's difficult to single anything out from the Royal Cornwall Show's magnificent flower show. But something to delight visitors this year will be a grand display of orchids.

Also check out the hanging baskets, the demonstration theatre and the packed trade stands. Fuschias, roses, cacti, grasses - the displays will be stunning.

See Flower show for more.

Kelly's of Bodmin Stage

Don't miss the band with the Number One Hit at this year's show. They will be performing each and every day at two locations. It's a real big band with a massive reputation.

See Kelly's Stage for more.

Forestry Woodlands Competition

It's staged every two years and the results are announced at the show. The idea is promote a healthy woodland estate in Cornwall and to draw attention to those who are doing it well.

There are five classes for all kinds of woodland interest: commercial, landscape, recreation, renovation, parkland, wildlife... Entries close on 28th February.

See Woodlands Competition for more details.

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