The Smallholders and Country Show returned to Ardingly earlier this summer to celebrate country living.

The independent family-run event, which is now in its 31st year, has always had an intimate feel and been a great day out for local smallholders to catch up with friends old & new, meet likeminded individuals, get advice from on-hand experts to keep their plots ticking over, get supplies & more.

With lots of other rural activities on offer for the whole family to do, it’s a fun weekend in the countryside not to be missed, with this weekend carrying on and adding to this tradition.

The Small Farm Training Group’s series of talks aiming to help anyone to learn better farming, smallholding & horticultural skills proved again to be a big success.

The tent for these talks was often packed out with people having to peer in to get an insight into talks that covered a wide range of subjects such as keeping chickens and pigs, beekeeping, how to be a smallholder when space is at a premium and much more.

Several acts graced the main arena this year including K9 Quackers, an entertaining sheepdog and duck herding display, which saw the ducks navigate a variety of obstacles such as the tunnel of doom, slippery slide the rings of fire to great amusement from the spectators.

Tractors and vintage machinery, Southern Counties Heavy Horses and show regular favourite Huxley’s Birds of Prey also entertained the crowds including one eagle’s impromptu escape, it was later discovered to have flown 15 miles away but returned back to the show of his own accord in time for his second performance of the day.

The fun dog show continues to grow in popularity year on year and the new inclusion of fun terrier racing added to this.

The afternoon classes were packed with our four legged friends vying for titles such as most handsome dog, best movement, best condition & more. This event continues to increase in popularity and is becoming a real mainstay of the weekend.

The pleasant weather over the weekend made it a lovely day out in the countryside for the whole family. The food, drink, craft and shopping stalls were bustling with shoppers, the circus workshop entertained all ages and the live music provided a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy the best of what the local countryside has to offer.

The Smallholders and Country Show is smaller in physical stature when compared to its larger counterparts, but makes up for it with a fun, friendly, entertaining and more intimate atmosphere created by the camaraderie amongst stall holders, organisers, staff and it’s visitors alike.