SO, TWO things that were incredibly so much better about the 2024 Oswestry Show than last year.

It didn’t rain – there was no moisture whatsoever in the air, which made the whole experience much easier to enjoy than during last year's rain-hit event.

I may even have a bit of sunburn so that’s business as usual.

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And, impossibly I thought, Andrew Jones, the giant of the horticultural tent, grew an even better tomato than the ones I sto... I mean, he gave me last year.

Ruby-May (left) and Amber Rose Taylor (right) at the Oswestry Show. Ruby-May (left) and Amber Rose Taylor (right) at the Oswestry Show. (Image: Newsquest)

I was back at the Show on behalf of the Advertizer hoping as everyone else was that sun would stay out all day - and it did.

It was fantastic to see so many people crammed into the Showground earlier on, giving the competitions in the Main Ring so much support.

Ethan Townsend enjoys an ice cream at the Oswestry Show. Ethan Townsend enjoys an ice cream at the Oswestry Show. (Image: Newsquest.)

As I walked about, in the hope of grabbing some free samples of the tastebud-tingling food and drink on offer, I could see plenty of people having to slalom their way around the crowds and show chairman David Kempster admitted he was relieved to see so many people there.

Oswestry is lucky to have a good social calendar but few events come bigger, especially in the summer, than the show. It is one day when the town and the villages surrounding the town empty and the local population comes together.

Harry Walsh, Zachary Williams and Dave Ellis-James, all from Oswestry, with sheep at Oswestry Show. Harry Walsh, Zachary Williams and Dave Ellis-Jones, all from Oswestry, with sheep at Oswestry Show. (Image: Newsquest.)

And it, as tradition allows, is the day that the north Shropshire farming community let their hair down.

More and more of the types of shows are falling by the wayside, but the good news for Oswestry is that there is a determined bunch of volunteers who are making sure that the town still has an event to be proud of.

Horses wait to be judged at the Oswestry Show. Horses wait to be judged at the Oswestry Show. (Image: Newsquest.)

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I would also like to thank every dog (and their humans I suppose) who stopped for a chat and/or sniff. 

But then again, as long as there cows, sheep and pigs to point, whether you’re 4 or 40, then the show will always attract a crowd - even when the weather turns against it.

But for now, let youngsters eat their ice-creams, the adults have their booze and the vintage cars trundle around the main ring, giving Oswestry Show the best of everything.