The Royal County of Berkshire Show holds a very special place in my heart. Few events have been part of my life for quite as long. With a history dating back to 1909, the show has become one of the great celebrations of rural life, agriculture, food, and community in the South of England.
My connection with the show began when I was seven years old. My grandparents took me for the first time, and it left a lasting impression. I can still remember walking around wide-eyed, dwarfed by the enormous cattle and horses that seemed impossibly large to a young boy.
The sights, sounds, and smells were unlike anything else. There were livestock competitions, machinery displays, local food producers, and events taking place throughout the day. Armed with an ice cream and endless curiosity, I spent the day exploring every corner of the showground.
From that moment onwards, attending the Berkshire Show became a family tradition. We returned year after year. It was always a highlight of the calendar and marked an important point in the changing seasons. Summer was drawing to a close, harvest was underway, and autumn was waiting just around the corner.
The show represented everything I loved about the countryside. It celebrated the people who produce our food, care for the landscape, and keep rural traditions alive. It was a place to learn, explore, and reconnect with old friends.
This year 2019, however, was different. For the first time, I attended not as a visitor but as an exhibitor. Instead of wandering through the showground, I spent the weekend behind the Downton Distillery stand in the food hall.
The experience was completely different, yet every bit as enjoyable. The weekend seemed to disappear in the blink of an eye. From the moment the doors opened until the final visitors left, there was always someone to talk to.
A huge thank you goes to everyone who stopped by to meet us. We loved sharing our spirits, hearing your stories, and learning about your own connections to the countryside.
Particular congratulations go to those brave enough to try the Szechuan pepper and chilli shots. They certainly sparked some memorable reactions and conversations throughout the weekend.
One of the greatest pleasures of the show was reconnecting with familiar faces while also meeting new people. We left with new friendships, strengthened old ones, and countless memories.
To top it all off, we returned home with several rosettes and a silver cup. Recognition for both our gin and our stand came as a complete surprise. If you ever see photographs of us collecting the Sponsors Cup while looking utterly shocked, now you know why.
More than a century after it first began, the Berkshire Show continues to inspire new generations. It certainly inspired me as a child, and it remains every bit as important today. I already look forward to returning next year.
