Get ready to harvest a bounty of fun at the Royal Norfolk Show 2024!
With 700 trade stands, more than 3,000 animals and a jam-packed programme, this year’s show promises to be a barnstormer of an event.
Read on to find the highlights from this year's Royal Norfolk Show.
Young Diamond Tribute
As part of the Young Achievers theme at this year’s Royal Norfolk Show, a tribute to young people will take place on Thursday, June 27.
The Young Diamonds tribute, organised in partnership with the Norfolk Lieutenancy and the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA), will involve nominated individuals taking part in a massed gathering in the Grand Ring, sponsored by Mills and Reeve, where they will be addressed by HM Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, The Lady Dannatt MBE.
“The aim of the tribute is to highlight the many individual and collective achievements of young people – whether they are a young carer, have achieved something at the highest level or have added value to their community,” said RNAA managing director Mark Nicholas. “We wish to say thank you to all those young people who do so much for our communities and good causes and to acknowledge their achievements in a high-profile setting.”
Norfolk Federation of Young Farmers Clubs
Norfolk Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (YFC) is a charity helping to support young people in agriculture and the countryside. This year, the charity is celebrating its 80th anniversary while commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
It will showcase a range of machinery and farming techniques from the 1940s up to the present day, as well as showing how farming will change in the future.
“Our senior clubs have been hard at work creating traditional funfair-style games based on a topic associated with D-Day or the Second Word War,” said chair Mel Hawes. “Alongside this, our countrysiders have been tasked with creating their own model aeroplanes built around a wheelbarrow.
“Our members have worked incredibly hard over the past six months to create a fantastic display to show the history of farming, as well as the history of Norfolk YFC itself.
“Our stand is also fully interactive and we would love to see as many people as possible coming along to test out all of the games that our members have been making.”
Visitors can find Norfolk YFC in the Grand Ring on Wednesday from 5.45pm–6.15pm.
The Duke of York’s Royal Military School Marching Band
The Duke of York’s Royal Military School is a state full-boarding school. The school’s band will perform two 20-minute displays in the Grand Ring that will include the Corps of Drums at 10.55am and 7pm on Wednesday and 9.55am and 6.35pm on Thursday.
“Our ceremonial parades and remarkable marching band offer students a cherished opportunity to honour our heritage – the school was founded by royalty for military families,” said director of music Lt Stephen Socci RN (CCF). “The school boasts over 200 years of ceremonial tradition, regularly hosting royal guests as inspecting officers during parades, which epitomises our uniqueness.”
The band, who had the privilege of performing at the King’s Coronation, shines brightest at special events, so be prepared to see a spectacular display. The school will also host a free soft archery event throughout the Royal Norfolk Show at the school’s display stand.
“Feel free to pop along to give it a try, meet some of our staff and students, and have your photo taken with our iconic Land Rover Defender 110,” Stephen added.
Atkinson Action Horses
Benjamin Atkinson and the Action Horse Team will exhibit the power and grace of horses in a dance of dressage, made famous by the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, and Cossack trick riding, which adds adrenaline, acrobatics and speed to this stunning show.
Based in the heart of Yorkshire, the Atkinson family has been providing horses and riders for live events, television and film for over 25 years. Its team of riders, trainers and performers have credits on the silver screen including Poldark and Peaky Blinders.
Benjamin rode in his first display at 11 years old. He built his own team of riders and horses when he was 16 and by the age of 18 was performing at the most prestigious shows in the UK. He also performs internationally and has trained horses in Dubai, performed in Kentucky and horsemastered a movie in India.
“This is our first time at the Royal Norfolk Show,” said Benjamin. “We are very much looking forward to performing in the Grand Ring and can’t wait to show Norfolk the beauty and magic of our wonderful horses.”
Shetland Pony Derby
Hold on to your hats, folks, because the Shetland Pony Derby is back, and it’s guaranteed to be a “mane” event!
These pint-sized ponies and jockeys may be small in stature, but they’re big on speed and excitement as they race around the track.
Norfolk Music Hub
The Norfolk Music Hub will be conducting an event in the Grand Ring on Wednesday, partnering with The Brass Funkeys to bring the sounds and colours of New Orleans to the show with the help of 800 young people.
RAF Falcons
From the skies above RAF Brize Norton, the UK’s premier military parachute display team descends upon the Grand Ring in a breathtaking display of precision and bravery.
Freefalling from heights of up to 12,000 feet, these daredevils reach speeds of 120mph, proving that the sky’s the limit!
Emergency Services and Military Villages
Meet the real-life heroes of our community in the Emergency Services and Military Villages, where you can learn about the adventures of police officers, fire fighters and military personnel.
Climb aboard a fire engine, try your hand at CPR, and discover the skills they use to save lives every day.
Amazing attractions
The excitement doesn’t stop there! From vintage funfair rides to displays of antique farm machinery, archery, canoeing, dog agility shows and shopping, there’s something for everyone at the Royal Norfolk Show.
And don’t miss The Bunker from No Name Theatre Group – a brand-new production where you are tasked with finding top-secret documents before diffusing a bomb in less than 10 minutes.
Grand Ring timetable
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26
8AM Showjumping 1.20m Open Two Phase
9.30AM Showjumping 1.30m Open – sponsored by Eastern Power Systems
10.30AM Shetland Pony Derby – Heat 1 – sponsored by M Construction Services
10.55AM The Duke of York’s Royal Military School Marching Band
11.15AM RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team – sponsored by Lamb Weston
11.35AM Get Funky with the Brass Funkeys – supported by Norfolk Music Hub
12.15PM Heavy Horse Turnouts – Singles – sponsored by ROARR!
12.55PM Showjumping Norfolk Area Trial – sponsored by Broadland Business Park
2.10PM Scurry Driving 2.35PM Atkinson Action Horses with Cossack Trick Riding
3.20PM Coaching Marathon Judging - sponsored by Nitrasol
4PM Heavy Horse Turnouts – Teams – sponsored by R G Carter Ltd
4.40PM Heygates Country Feeds Team of 5 Competition – sponsored by Heygates Country Feeds, Plus Grand Parade of Cattle and Shire Horses
5.45PM Norfolk Young Farmers 80th Anniversary Display
6.15PM Shetland Pony Derby – Heat 2 and Final – sponsored by M Construction Services
6.40PM RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team – sponsored by Lamb Weston
7PM The Duke of York’s Royal Military School Marching Band
THURSDAY, JUNE 27
7.30AM HOYS Ridden Cobs
9.30AM Shetland Pony Derby – Heat 1 – sponsored by M Construction Services
9.55AM The Duke of York’s Royal Military School Marching Band
10.15AM RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team – sponsored by Lamb Weston
10.35AM Atkinson Action Horses with Cossack Trick Riding
11.20AM Coachman’s Class – sponsored by Cecil Amey Opticians and Hearing Care
11.50AM Scurry Driving
12.25PM HOYS Heavy Horse Turnouts – Two- Wheeled Cart – sponsored by Ivan Fisher Independent Funeral Homes
12.55PM Showjumping International Stairway Grand Prix – sponsored by British Showjumping Business Partnership
2.10PM Norfolk Young Diamonds Tribute
2.40PM Heavy Horse Turnouts – Pairs – sponsored by Carrick Farm Enterprises
3.10PM Grand Parade of Cattle, Sheep, Pigs and Goats and Suffolk, Percheron and Clydesdale Horses
4.05PM Atkinson Action Horses with Cossack Trick Riding
4.50PM Showjumping Ride and Drive Challenge – sponsored by Inchcape BMW/Mini
5.50PM Shetland Pony Derby – Heat 2 and Final – sponsored by M Construction Services
6.15PM RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team – sponsored by Lamb Weston
6.35PM Closing Ceremony including The Duke of York’s Royal Military School Marching Band and The City of Norwich Pipe Band
THE GRAND RING IS SPONSORED BY MILLS & REEVE
Rare Breeds Animal Farm
In collaboration with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST), the Rare Breeds Animal Farm is a captivating, educational and informative destination for all show visitors. It gives you the chance to get up close to native livestock breeds!
RBST is the only UK charity dedicated to monitoring, saving and promoting all breeds of UK farm livestock, including cattle, sheep, poultry, pigs, goats and equines. The charity’s vision is to secure a future for all native livestock breeds – no single breed has become extinct since the charity was formed in 1973.
Gail Sprake, RBST member and Royal Norfolk Show assistant head steward, said: “The Suffolk horse will demonstrate agility in the slalom and obstacle course; sheep will be out in the ring for the sheep beauty parade and visitors will be invited to join us in the ring to get up close to the sheep and goats on their halters.”
You can visit the information stand to learn more and grab yourself a copy of the RBST Watchlist. Knowledgeable livestock keepers are on hand to answer questions and you can find out more about the ‘Learn about Livestock’ project, whereby schools are loaned a ewe and her lambs.
“The Royal Norfolk Show is such an action-packed day for visitors,” said Gail. “And with so much to see and do, a visit to the Rare Breeds Animal Farm means you can see a little of every species before heading off to explore other parts of the showground.”
Rare Breeds Animal Farm timetable
10AM Welcome to the Rare Breeds Animal Farm
10.15AM Meet the sheep and goats
11AM Learn about the Suffolk horse
12.30PM Welcome to the Rare Breeds Animal Farm
1PM Learn about the Suffolk horse
1.45PM Meet the sheep and goats
2.30PM Welcome to the Rare Breeds Animal Farm
3PM Learn about the Suffolk horse
For more information, visit royalnorfolkshow.co.uk
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