The Sussex Newspaper - Great news for a great county!

WI members from across East and West Sussex have been busy making, baking and knitting entries for a seasonal competition at the South of England Agricultural Society’s Autumn Show.

Visitors will be able to feast their eyes on a plethora of potted, pickled and purled products as ladies from across the East & West Sussex Federation of WIs celebrate ‘Autumn Bliss’ at the Norfolk Pavilion, Ardingly Showground from  1 to 2 October 2011.

Individual WI groups will be competing against each other to produce items for seasonally-themed classes including best display of autumn blooms, matching hat and scarf, tastiest gingerbread family and flower-pot man.

As well as seasonal displays, this year’s South of England Autumn Show promises an action-packed arena programme with events for all the family. Arena displays include motorbike mayhem from the Jez Avery Stunt show, flypasts from the falcons of Huxleys Birds of Prey Centre, the Warrenby Gun Dogs and a demonstration of mounted skill at arms by the Sussex Peggers Riding Club. The Club is set to wow spectators with precision feats of horsemanship including hitting targets such as an orange with a sword or lance at speed.  Back by popular demand is the SEVAC vintage vehicle display and the Salmon and Trout Association who are running a competition to win a Gray’s fly rod. 

Chairman of the Autumn Show committee Jim Rutherford said: “The Show aims to provide a true taste of the autumn, combining country sports and pastimes with a celebration of harvest – and plenty of locally-produced food and drink. There are numerous attractions for all the family to enjoy including the Band of the Adjutant General’s Corps and Chelsea Pensioners in support of the Army Benevolent Fund and the clay pigeon shooting, which proved particularly popular last year.