The Western Rural Day will celebrate the Island’s agricultural and horticultural traditions going back to the days when horses pulled ploughs and cows were milked by hand.
A collection of vintage farm machinery will be on display including a winnowing machine, an important component in processing grain crops as it literally sorts the wheat from the chaff.
The event is being organised by the West Show Association at Manor Farm in St Peter, the Island’s independent dairy farm and the home of Darren, Julia and Chas Quénault and the Classic Herd. It takes place from 10 am until 5 pm and entry and parking are free.
During the day there will be demonstrations of breezing, hay-turning, loading a hay van and baling. There will be opportunities to see animal husbandry, horse-shoeing and cows being milked. The Quénault family will also be demonstrating how to make cheese and butter.
The show is being sponsored by the Channel Islands Co-operative Society, which is also supporting this year’s primary school wheelbarrow vegetable and herb-growing competition. Entries will be on display at the show where the winners will be announced.
‘Western Rural Day is a great way of showcasing Jersey’s agricultural and horticultural traditions,’ Co-op chief executive Colin Macleod said. ‘It provides a great opportunity for the community to get together and learn about an important part of Island life.’
There will also be fairground rides, horse and cart rides, a hay bale castle and food and drink stalls.
