ORGANISERS of the Royal Cornwall Show say that they intend to put on the show that everyone knows and loves in September.

The event has been postponed from early June to Thursday, Friday and Saturday, September 10, 11 and 12.

The decision to shift the date, unanimously agreed amongst all Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association committee members, was taken in mid-March, when it became apparent that the impact of the coronavirus outbreak would still be felt in May and June.

With a responsibility to public health foremost in their minds, the team reluctantly set about moving the show to the early autumn.

Show secretary, Chris Riddle explained: "We certainly looked at both options, to cancel or to postpone.

"But we understand the importance the Royal Cornwall Show has to both local businesses and the regional economy, and with the current financial climate, we feel that it is hugely important to try to ensure that the Show still goes ahead this year.

"We’re a very early show in the season and it has been moved to the end of the season. Of course this will be under continuous review.|

Feedback to the date change from exhibitors and traders has been very positive overall said Mr Riddle, and there was a sense of wanting to look to the future and beyond the difficult present situation to a time when things will be ‘back to normal’.

There is actually a precedent for moving the Royal Cornwall Show, as during the Foot and Mouth crisis of 2001, the event was postponed to the September, albeit without livestock in the ring.

"It ran very successfully that year with a good attendance, hence it was something we’d always had in mind," said Mr Riddle. "We thought it was a possibility worth trying. We’re aiming to make it as much the Royal Cornwall Show we all know as we can.

"The Royal Cornwall Show has been at the heart of the county for nearly 230 years, and every year our team do all they can to ensure that everyone involved has the best event possible: this year will be no exception.

"If you can’t make our event, then please support our friends at the Devon County Show (August 28-30) and Bath and West Show (July 30-August 2)."