The Sandy Show In 1868 the Sandy Show was born after several leading gentlemen in the locality wished to showcase the quality of the crops and produce being grown in our local area, to the widest audience. A cat, dog and bird show was added over the following years to create the Feather & Fur Festival with the Flower & Produce Show, and this lasted up until the start of World War II, apart from a break during the World War I. Following World War II the Show was restarted until 1954. Then in 1966 the Show was resurrected once more at the now-defunct Bickerdike’s Nurseries, and it remained there for a number of years before moving back to its original home at Sandye Place. During recent years the Show has grown to be known across a wide area of the country, with entrants coming from many neighbouring counties to exhibit their produce, flowers and crafts and be judged to exacting national standards.
Local News
In the summer of 2019 the Sandye Place Academy closed and the unavailability of the Academy’s premises to anyone has caused a loss of venue to the Horticultural Association who promote and organise the Show. Since last August we have been searching for an available site within the town. Many locations have been discussed but none have been found which is of a suitable size and standard. Options outside of the town have also been considered but no satisfactory venue has arisen that has appeared to be financially viable. We have also considered changing the day of the week and also the month of the Show, in an effort to continue with the event. Also, the number of available helpers to run the event is decreasing as age catches up with us all. It is therefore necessary to say that the Horticultural Association will be unable to put on the Sandy Show in 2020. If more help can be found and a suitable venue then we would hope to return with a re-invigorated Sandy Show.
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