ORGANISERS of South Gloucestershire’s first ever county show say plans are progressing smoothly for the two-day family event.

The South Gloucestershire Show will take place on Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3 at Windmill Fishery in Henfield, near Westerleigh.

As well as an arena featuring an exciting line up of events and entertainers, there will be attractions, demonstrations and plenty of opportunities to have a go at sports and activities.

Organiser Darren Hawkins said: “There is very much an interactive theme to the show. It is not just about standing around and watching, we want people to get involved and have a go at things.

“I have been to lots of shows around the country to research for this and I have taken the best bits from each one. It should be a great event which will put South Gloucestershire on the map.”

The 176-acre site will be split into zones with large areas reserved for clay pigeon shooting, golf sessions with Golf England on the existing Windmill driving range, archery, a classic car show organised by a Jaguar enthusiasts club, an interactive display by Bristol Motor Club and a fishing competition, with a £6,000 prize, on the site’s lakes.

There will also be an Extreme Wheels road show and interactive BMX display with former world champion Keelan Phillips, a Formula 1 pit stop against the clock challenge, art and craft stalls, a caricaturist and a health and well being area featuring yoga and Indian head massage tasters and workshops with a nutritionist.

Due to its proximity to the Avon Cycle Path, the show is being heavily promoted as a ‘cycle to’ event and will include two cycle hubs for people to store their bikes. Sustrans will be holding a ‘bling your bike’ stand and there will be a cycle cinema, which will see film watchers cycling to power their screening, and a cycle smoothie maker.

Said Mr Hawkins, from Charfield: “We want as many people to cycle to the event as possible. If you cycle you will qualify for a number of competitions.

“If the weather is nice it will be the best thing to cycle to.”

In the main arena there are a number of top secret spectacles planned as well as displays from community groups including local Guides and Brownies, bellringers, karate and zumba.

A children’s area will include a Punch and Judy show, stilt walkers and balloon modelling and a food and drink zone will see usual fare served up alongside less common dishes such as zebra burgers and chilli jams.

South Gloucestershire-based brewery Bath Ales will be running a beer festival in the main beer tent.

Mr Hawkins said a music stage would feature 15 bands from a ukulele orchestra to a Sex Pistols tribute band.

“There really will be something for everyone,” he said. “But this is a county show, not a music festival and the whole event finishes at 9pm. We are not organising Glastonbury.”

The show, which is expected to become an annual event, had a licence approved in December despite concerns raised by the two households which neighbour the site.

Any groups wishing to perform at the show should call 01454 222959 and for more information visit www.southglosshow.co.uk