Bucks County Show brings farmers together after difficult year
The event gets underway today
The Bucks County Show is bringing farmers and the wider agricultural community together today, with organisers saying the event is more important than ever after a difficult year.
More than 20,000 people are expected to attend the 157th annual show, which celebrates Buckinghamshire's countryside, farming and rural communities.
But for those working in agriculture, the event is about more than livestock, machinery and trade stands.
Alison Baylis, Secretary of the Bucks County Show, says it gives farmers an important opportunity to meet people who understand the pressures they face.
"A lot of people don't get to interact closely with a lot of animals, with a lot of the machinery and just the community, the agricultural community," she said.
Ms Baylis also highlighted the wider importance of social contact for farmers, who can face significant pressures on their mental health.
She said farmers can spend long periods working alone, and that agricultural shows give them a chance to see friends, family and others in the industry.
"A lot of them go to many agricultural shows and it's almost their holiday. They have their one day, and they come and they see people."
Dry conditions have affected this year's harvest, while financial pressures have also left many farmers being more cautious with their money.
Ms Baylis said the difficulties have been felt across the wider agricultural industry, with businesses which supply farmers also seeing the impact.
She said one agricultural company had told her it had sold less mowing equipment because the grass had not grown, while farmers had also been reluctant to buy new tractors.
The show therefore provides a chance for farmers to step away from those pressures and spend time with friends, family and others working in agriculture.
The Bucks County Show was originally established as an agricultural show and has evolved over the years, but remains focused on showcasing Buckinghamshire and its rural community.
Around 120 volunteers help to organise and run the event, while between 20,000 and 22,000 visitors are normally expected over the course of the day.