Getting Ready for the New Forest Show
It is less than six weeks to go until the 2016 New Forest and Hampshire County Show which is taking place on 26th, 27th and 28th July at New Park, Brockenhurst. Show organisers are busy preparing for the annual three day agricultural event and have implemented several changes to improve the experience for visitors at this year’s Show.
Following feedback from the 2015 Show which attracted a record 105,000 visitors, several improvements have been made to the showground for 2016. The biggest change has been made to The Heart of the Forest Area which has a new location for this year. The area has moved from its previous location next to the Forestry Commission area, to a new location along the Northern Avenue. The new location will not only encourage more people to visit the Heart of the Forest Area but will also help to reduce congestion along Northern Avenue which is one of the busiest areas of the showground.
For visitors watching the busy timetable of main ring attractions, several changes been made to improve the visibility of the rings. The quantity of grandstand seating has increased for non-members around the main rings allowing more visitors to watch from a higher level. In order to create more viewing space for visitors, confectionary units have been moved away from their previous ringside position. Banner sizes around the Hoburne East Ring have also been reduced to improve overall visibility for spectators.
In addition to improvements being made to the showground, changes have also been made to significantly reduce the amount of time is takes for visitors to get to the Show. Improvements have been made to the general traffic management, to the ease of access to the showground for visitors travelling by car and to the car parking once on site. We are also pleased to provide a shuttle bus service for visitors wanting to leave their cars at home. The shuttle bus will be running between the showground and Brockenhurst train station during all three days of the Show. This service will be free for all members and advance ticket holders. The bus will run continuously between 8am and 7.30pm.
Denis Dooley, Show Secretary says ‘Each year we have a plan to improve the site and this year has gone extremely well. The strategy for development followed the feedback we received after last year’s Show and I would like to that our visitors for their comments. The improvements are aimed at improving the visitor experience and reducing traffic. I hope everyone who attends the 2016 New Forest & Hampshire County Show enjoys their day at New Park and helps us to improve for 2017’.
The 2016 New Forest and Hampshire County Show will be held at New Park, Brockenhurst on Tuesday 26th, Wednesday 27th & Thursday 28th July. The Show is open to the public between 8.30am and 6.30pm each day. For more information please visit our website www.newforestshow.co.uk