Looking for entertainment now that the Olympics are over? In a summer which has seen the cancellation of many events due to wet weather, Great Aycliffe Town Council looks forward to welcoming everyone to the really Great Aycliffe Show, to be held on the Bank Holiday weekend, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th August on the showfield next to the Oakleaf Sports Complex.
Organisers promise that there will be something for all the family to enjoy. Entry to the Show is free, with plentiful car parking at only £1 per vehicle and hopefully the sun will shine.
In a blend of indoor and outdoor entertainment, performers both local and national will be entertaining spectators. Arena entertainment this year will feature The High Fall Show and The Flaming High Fall Show, which showcase the amazing skills of 15 year old stunt rider, Aaron Stannage, who is part of Stannage International Stunt Team.
The Team will thrill spectators with their daring fire and water stunts, including the Human Torch and Flaming High Dive. For four-legged entertainment, top dog trainer, Richard Curtis, and his talented dancing dogs perform exciting choreographed musical routines.
The team includes the Crufts Freestyle Champion and the UK’s first Frisbee Freestyle Border Collie. A new feature of the show is “micro freestyle” with possibly the smallest dancing dog in the UK.
Live music and dance will be showcased in the Playhouse Marquee, throughout the weekend. Local dance schools, Karate and BMX demonstrations and local singer Charlotte Altringham will be entertaining the audience. On the Sunday, comedian and magician Gary Dunn will be performing and for a hint of nostalgia, top band Reflex 80s will be taking audiences back to the hit songs of the 1980s.
Competitions are a traditional and popular part of any show and Great Aycliffe Show has a variety of them. The handcraft and horticulture exhibition always attracts many exhibits, with a wide variety of flowers, vegetables and homemade produce, plus arts and crafts. Trophies are sponsored by Deco Trophies and Engraving; horticultural trophies are sponsored by Gregg Little Testing Centre. On Saturday the Pigeon Show and on Sunday pedigree Rabbit competition proved popular attractions last year, particularly with the youngsters.
Sport is catered for with the junior football tournament (sponsored by Cooperative Funeralcare) attracting entries from all over the north east of England. The Golf Tournament, sponsored by Bewick and Neville Pharmacy in Newton Aycliffe, takes place on Sunday; entry is free and the Tournament is open to any resident of Newton Aycliffe, or member of the Oakleaf Golf Club.
Durham County and Darlington Fire and Rescue will be running their exciting annual Inter Service Extrication Competition – for spectators only. Teams from different local fire stations will compete against each other in a specially staged ‘incident’.
The scene of a road traffic collision, complete with a trapped live casualty, will be created, requiring a full ‘rescue’. The competition will take place throughout Saturday and Sunday.
There will be a range of marquees, featuring local craft, trade and fundraising, giving information, tuition and the opportunity to purchase produce. Don’t miss the environment marquee – this year’s features include live snakes and a bee hive
Around the showfield there will be water walkers to try out, without getting wet, Gold Cup Horse Racing, Quad bikes, a fairground, Punch and Judy and face painting.
Finally – and very importantly – there will be plenty of opportunities for a rest and refreshments, both on the showfield and in the Oakleaf Sports Complex.
For further information and entry forms visit www.great-aycliffe.gov.uk or contact the Council Offices tel 01325 300700 or Oakleaf Sports Complex, 01325 300600.
