OUT AND ABOUT
Royal Highland Show – but not as you know it! DIRECTORS FROM THE Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Royal Highland Show (RHS). With four months until what would have been the 180th Show, RHASS Directors were presented with scenarios based on Covid-19 restrictions likely to still be in place by June. These included modelling based on reduced capacities, factoring in the likely social distancing measures, vaccination status and the potential impact of new Covid-19 variants. Directors were also briefed on discussions which have taken place with senior Scottish Government officials in which concerns were raised around the likelihood of any large scale events taking place in 2021. Weighing up the information presented, RHASS Directors felt there was no option but to shelve plans for a traditional 2021 Royal Highland Show and instead consider options for what’s possible within the current climate. In preparation, the planning team had scoped out an outline of a ‘Royal Highland Show live’ concept, which is effectively a hybrid show with judging, show jumping and competitions taking place at the showground behind closed doors. Directors heard that this format would give exhibitors the opportunity to showcase their livestock from Ingliston showground to a global audience through state-of-the-art livestreaming in collaboration with Scottish media partners.
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RHASS members would be given VIP access to the livestreaming for free as part of their member benefits. Along with livestock and equestrian, it is proposed that key elements of the show would feature including Young Handlers, Technical Innovation, Cookery and Handcrafts, together with farriery, forestry and sheep shearing. This was widely welcomed by Directors and the planning team were tasked to build on this concept further, with a view to presenting comprehensive proposals to the RHASS Board following wider consultation with exhibitors, sponsors and industry stakeholders. Commenting on the decision, RHASS Chairman Bill Gray said: “We had hoped beyond hope, particularly with the direction of travel before Christmas, that the vaccination rollout would
enable the Show as we know it to go ahead. "However we've now been left with no other choice but to seek an alternative to the staging of the traditional Royal Highland Show. “While deeply disappointing, what is possible is genuinely innovative and exciting and we are confident that with the power of the latest streaming technology and the finest elements of the show, we can create something truly special.” Keith Christian, BAGMA Director, said: "We are very disappointed for the organisers and visitors that this prestigious event cannot go ahead this year. BAGMA will fully support the RHS in whatever they decide to do to promote this show in Scotland in the future.” More details at www.royalhighlandshow.org
LAMMA SHOW 2021 CANCELLED This year’s LAMMA Show has been cancelled following the ongoing uncertainties surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic. The show was due to take place at Birmingham’s NEC on May 25-26, 2021. The decision was made taking into consideration for the safety of visitors and exhibitors, and after consulting all show stakeholders. However, LAMMA Show will return to the NEC on January 11-12, 2022.
Event manager Kate Walsh said: “I think we’ll all agree that LAMMA 2022 will be an epic show, with the industry keen do business and catch up with colleagues and friends in person. We would again like to thank all our exhibitors and visitors for the amazing support we’ve received throughout the year. “We look forward to welcoming you to the show in 2022.” Details at www.lammashow.com
BAGMA BULLETIN MARCH-APRIL 2021
