Farmers urged to give views on Cereals location

Organisers of the Cereals Event have launched a competition to help them find a new site for the annual show.

It has also published an online survey asking visitors for their views on what makes a good venue.

The survey asks visitors which of the following counties they are prepared to travel to: Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Warwickshire.

It also wants farmers’ views on what sort of soil type they would like to see the event sited on and how often they like to see the event change venue.

The competition, which is running alongside the survey, is offering a cash prize of £500 to the person who suggests a site that is used for a future event.

Jon Day, Cereals event director, said: “The Cereals Event has had two successful years at the Boothby Graffoe site and is looking forward to another fantastic event at the same location on 12-13 June 2013.

“Looking to the future we would like to find alternative sites, particularly ones that offer the same advantages in terms of traffic management, land that holds up well to wet weather and that offers a great experience for both our visitors and exhibitors.

“To help us understand what our customers really want, we have put together an online survey to give us an insight into where in the country we should focus our search and what the most important elements are to consider when looking for a new host farm.”

Site suggestions must take into account the following requirements:

• The total area required for the Cereals event is 65-70ha (20ha for the car parking and 45-50ha for the event itself). Ideally the 45-50ha is within one field but the event can be spanned across a hedge into another field if necessary
• Main road network supporting site, several entrances into car parking areas
• No underground or overground services (gas/water/electric/oil)
• Flat ground
• Well drained
• Hardstanding area very close for unloading of machinery
• The site is required from August the year before the event, until the end of June (11 months in total)

Showgrounds have already been ruled out as a possibility because constant access is needed through most of the year. This is not possible if other events are being held on site.

“Finding a suitable site, which meets our operational requirements, is a real challenge – we may be missing some real gems around the country,” said Mr Day.

“We’re offering a cash prize of £500 to the person who finds us a site that’s used for a future event. It doesn’t matter whether they’re the landowner, spray operator, next-door neighbour or a local resident.”

Complete the Cereals survey.

Suggest an alternative site for the Cereals Event.