THE OSWESTRY show chairman David Kempster says he, his council and all the staff have everything crossed to ensure a sunny day for the 2024 event on Saturday.

Numbers for the 2023 event took a hit as the day was blighted by heavy rains – though many still attended and had a fantastic day – and David is hoping that it won’t be a repeat.

Taking on the rains this year, he said he is quietly looking forward to the show’s return on August 3 and wants the Oswestry and surrounding area public to reap the benefits of their good work.

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"I’m looking forward to Saturday,”  he said.

“I’m quietly excited and hoping everything goes well but we’re keeping our fingers crossed for a nice, sunny day.

“Talking to some of our previous chairmen and some members of our council, some of who have been coming for 70 years, they said that 2023 was the wettest day they had ever seen for Oswestry Show.

“I’m working on the theory that we’ve had the wettest day ion 70 years so we should be alright for another 70.

“We have ordered some wood bark just in case though, on standby, but we are keeping our fingers crossed that it is going to be dry.

“Hopefully it should be all good.

“It is hard to tell what is excitement and what is nerves – there’s always a bit of nerves on a day like this.

“You want everything to go according to plan.

“We’ve looked at every part of the show and altered a few things to try to streamline it a little bit and we’re excited to see whether all our plans come together.

“Hopefully, all the work that has gone over the last few months will come to fruition.”

Oswestry Show is recovering from the significant impact of a reduced event in 2021 and no event at all in 2020 – both because of Covid-19 – and David believes that people should come to the day because of what it offers.

And the thanked everyone for making it such a great year for him…so far.

David said: “People should turn up in big numbers to the Oswestry because it’s a great family day out with lots for people to see.

“Whether they’re interested in agriculture with the large farm machinery to all sorts of livestock cattle, to holding shows within shows on Saturday such as the National Border Leicester Sheep Show.

“Our cattle numbers are one of the highest we’ve had for many years and our sheep numbers are as high as they’ve been for many years.

“We’ve got more trade stands than we’ve ever had with 114 so there will be a huge choice there, both agricultural and non-agricultural.

“There’s something for all members of the family – there’s the fair for the children and more.

“It is a huge honour to be asked to be show chairman but the greatest feeling I have is the support I have from all the council members.

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“We’ve had huge support in setting up and we’ve been at it for the last four weeks, two nights a week since July 1 with 40-45 people turning up each night.

“That, to me, has been tremendous support and a great feeling that people are there to keep the show going and help me.

“That includes Nigel Whittingham too – he is a past chairman and has done a lot for the show in the last few years too.”