So, I managed to get my mother-in-law (non farming side) to come home from her holiday early to look after the kids so that myself and the Better Half could go to the last Royal Show. Having to explain what was so special about the Royal Show worked.. I had never managed to go before and was looking forward to the premier show in the Agricultural Calender.
So we set off early and arrived just as the gates opened and trotted into the showground full of anticipation. We found a good stand almost immediately. Temporary accommodation, which the Better Half was very impressed with. We may well need some of this for us to live in before long. The Better Half was very worried about having to live in a caravan but this has allayed her fears. I was quite impressed too.
Next I wanted to see some seed merchants, grain processors and the like. Nothing. Nobody. The only thing I found was Slag Fertiliser!!! Which was useful but not quite what I wanted.
Next to the Food Hall. Not many stands, some good samples to try and we bought some beef from the butcher there, Gerald Davey & Family. Very lovely it was too, just had it for lunch today.
However it was then that I understood why it was The Royal Show was closing. In the corner, tucked away with no signs, little lighting and no explanation, was the carcass competition winners. Now I understand that the specialist refrigeration display units take careful location. However there was no notes as to why carcasses had won the prize they had. No link to other parts of the showground where the general public (non farmers) could learn more, such as the eblex stand. How can they learn to link farming and food if we don't help them and explain.
By the way the Eblex stand was excellent in explaining and demonstrating different classes of meat. All the supermarkets (except Waitrose) just had stands selling products. Waitrose had a stand in the education area explaining and demonstrating planting herbs and making salad dressing. Getting interaction with the audience. To me this endeared me more to waitrose than any of the other supermarkets.
By the way Justin King, stating that the supermarkets don't need an ombudsman, screams to me that they do. If they have nothing to hide then they would back an ombudsman. Enough said.
The Smallholders area was another of the most interactive areas. It also had most of the General public there because people where taking the time to explain what was there.
Another outrage was the pig and sheep sheds tucked out the back end of the showground so nobody was there unless they went looking for it. By the way well done to Chris Impey in the pig shed. He had interactive notes on his pig pens. Simple ideas, cards with a question on them where attached to the pen and if you wanted to learn the answer lift the question and the answer was underneath. Pity hardly anyone would have seen it!
Finally as Mildred said in his blog, not much machinery. A real disappointment.
To me The Royal was neither and education and a good day out for the general public nor something to stimulate the farmer. I do hope that RASE can make whatever incarnation The Royal takes a better experience for all.
Now that I've got your attention. If I'd titled this Safe as Houses or Haystacks, you wouldn't have even clicked the link would you.
So Let's start again.
Safe as Houses or Haystacks.
If Only!
I've just spent a horrible two days at the scene of the fire in Camberwell where three adults and two children, including a three week old baby died. It's not confirmed yet but it is thought a third child also died. What has also come out today is the horrific detail of the last moments of some of those that died. 
I can only begin to imagine what was going through those relatives minds as this tragedy unfolded.
Having family including three children of my own it really does get to you. I've been close to tears several times.
Fire does also get quite close to farmers far too often. Years ago it was seen as an occupational hazard at haymaking. Still on the photo galleries of FWi space, pictures of machinery reduced to cinders, often with the lucky escape of the farmer driving it.
Some may think that the Health and Safety Executives "Make The Promise, Come Home Safe" campaign may seem like yet another "nanny state" initiative, but nothing, especially not your work, is as important as your family. What is the point of working if it's not to be able to enjoy your life with your family.
Give your family a hug, tell them you love them and "Make The Promise, Come Home Safe!