Silcock Leisure and the Silcock family have donated £1,000 to support the historic Ainsdale Show in Southport.
The two-day spectacle on Ainsdale Village Green, featuring arena attractions, a large fairground, pet show, live music and more, is one of the longest running events in the North West. It has been staged ever since 1922.
But amidst sharply rising costs the event, run by volunteers from Ainsdale Horticultural Society, lost £3,000 in the last financial year.
Organisers now hope that support from local businesses and well-wishers such as the Silcock family will help to sustain its future.
New arrangements are also being made this year to make the Ainsdale Show more sustainable.
Ainsdale Horticultural Society will stage some of the attractions in Ainsdale Methodist Church hall and grounds.
The 101st Ainsdale Show takes place on Saturday 1st July and Sunday 2nd July 2023.
This year, in a change from previous years, admission will be free.
Silcock’s Operations Manager Serena Silcock-Prince said: “We already support Ainsdale In Bloom.
“When local community champion Brenda Porter approached us and asked if we would like to support this year’s Ainsdale Show, we were delighted to do so.
“This will be the 101st Ainsdale Show that has taken place. This event is a huge part of Southport’s heritage and deserves to be saved for the community to continue to enjoy.
“The fact that the organisers have made it free to attend this year means that families impacted by the Cost Of Living Crisis won’t have to worry about having to pay to come and enjoy it.
“The organisers have really suffered as a result of rising costs and we wanted to do what we could to help them.”
Ainsdale Horticultural Society Chairman Janet Greenwood and Treasurer Peter Wood were delighted to meet Silcock’s Operations Manager Serena Silcock-Prince and Silcock’s Funland Manager Justin Prescott for the official cheque presentation at Ainsdale Green.
Janet Greenwood and Peter Wood said: “The Society is currently planning our 101st Ainsdale Summer Show and like others we are finding the costs challenging but are determined, regardless of difficult times, to ensure the best of shows will be provided.
“This year for the first time there will be no entrance charge as Ainsdale not only celebrates this annual event but welcomes visitors from far and wide for the two day weekend Show.
“Silcock Leisure as ever is very much supportive of their local community of Southport, through donating £1,000 in support of the Ainsdale Show and supporting a fun event that so many people will have the opportunity to attend.
“This thoughtful and much-welcomed gesture from Silcock Leisure and the Silcock family at this difficult time is warmly appreciated by the Ainsdale Horticultural Society as we continue to plan for a great 2023 Show.”
Ainsdale Village Green will be used to stage the two-day spectacle.
Saturday 1st July will have all the favourite attractions including the arena attractions, pet show, a large fairground, craft fair, trade, charity stalls, a bar and catering units.
Sunday 2nd July will have a car boot sale from 8amthen from noon there will be a music on the green afternoon with music on the stage.
People are encouraged to bring chairs and have a picnic. The fairground and catering units will still be available.