GET SET FOR TWO GREAT RURAL DAYS OUT IN DORSET

The annual Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show returns on Wednesday August 14th and Thursday August 15th for two great days of rural attractions.

This renowned agricultural event, organised by the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Society, is celebrating 30 years at the Turnpike Showground in Motcombe, so this year promises to be even more special.

Expect a line-up of stunning attractions - livestock parades, agricultural and countryside exhibits, equestrian events, vintage machinery and cars, charming steam engines, live bands, a funfair and many other exciting attractions.

As well as an array of rare and unusual sheep and cattle, this year welcomes Joseph’s Amazing Camels to the main arena.  These famous hump-backed beauties have been featured on TV and in films including Disney and Marvel movies.

The main ring is also home to pocket-rocket Shetland pony racing, competitive showjumping and the not-to-be-missed Grand Parade of Livestock which showcases the region’s finest farm animals.

The Show offers visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the heart of Dorset’s rural community with a host of countryside activities and sports such as hilarious ferret racing, skilled gun dog demonstrations and magical falconry displays. 

This year, the Heavy Horse Village makes a welcome return where you can witness the majestic beauty of these magnificent creatures adorned in their decorative harnesses as well as see them compete.

One of the most stunning sights at the show is the Horticulture Marquee which welcomes over 1,500 entries including flowers, vegetables and cookery!  Which lemon drizzle cake will you vote for?

There’s a host of fine Dorset food and drink on offer too.  Indulge yourself in locally produced cheese, cake, cider, coffee, flapjacks, gin and so much more.  The Show welcomes dogs on lead and mobility scooters are available for hire on the day.

Family tickets available now at early-bird prices £41 for two adults and two children.  Two-day tickets also available.  Free parking.

For more information and tickets, please visit the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show.

Fancy driving your own powerboat around Poole Harbour this summer?  We did just that recently and hired a boat with Poole Boat Hire.

Poole Boat Hire are based at Cobbs Quay and they have a fleet of 5 Logic Marine 170ccs 17ft centre console powerboats which are complete with Yamaha 20hp electric trim and tilt outboard engines.

Our afternoon started with the owner Gareth giving us important safety information and instructions on how to drive the boat.  You do not need to have experience but if you don’t then I’d thoroughly recommend listening extra carefully as the harbour is bigger than you think and there are rules on the water that you must follow.  I was very pleased we did listen well as our alarm went off around the back of the harbour and I remembered that if the screen showed you were not in shallow water then you probably had seaweed on the prop.  Sure enough we lifted the prop and there it was so we removed it and then the alarm went silent again.

Before you arrive you will receive an email with important information to read through and some suggested routes.  We explained where we would go and Gareth put a route map into the system which we found very easy to follow, it even shows you if you are heading out of deep water.

Once we had our life jackets and kids buoyancy aids we were then taken to the boat for a safety briefing and instructions and then Gareth stayed with us for a little while on the water before dropping him off at another pontoon.

And that was it, we were off and travelled through Holes Bay, past the RNLI and then under the bridge to go past Poole Quay.  Once we head into the main channel my husband sped up a bit and the kids laughed their heads off and when we went past Brownsea Island we waved at anyone who looked our way. 

Going around the back of Brownsea was much calmer and we travelled between Furzey Island and Green Island and then past Round Island and Long Island.

The harbour is one of the largest natural harbours in the world and actually occupies about 3,600 hectares.  The open water, mudflats, marshes, reedbeds and Brownsea Island Lagoon provide a valuable habitats for birds which include common and sandwich terns, lapwings and great egrets to name but a few.  If you’re lucky you might even spot osprey, kestrel and peregrines.  You are allowed to drop your anchor if you wish however we were more than happy to just keep cruising and take in the scenery.  We did all have a go at driving but myself and the kids were equally petrified of going the wrong way so daddy took the lead for most of our trip.

As we started to head back to Cobbs Quay the kids were much more relaxed and my son took the opportunity to lie back and doze while myself and my daughter enjoyed a nice cuddle.

Our 2 hour hire flew by and it’s definitely something we’ll do again.  I was very pleased I had packed a picnic and drinks and made sure that the kids passed any wrappers and bottles to me so nothing would fly out into the water.

On our return we were greeted by staff and helped off the boat.  We had such a great afternoon and can’t recommend Poole Boat Hire enough.  The boats are fully equipped with everything you need and you’ll be sure to have a blast.

I would recommend visiting the toilet before heading off and taking your own food and drink.  If you’re lucky enough to go out on a sunny day then suncream is a must and a jumper as you’ll be surprised how windy it can become when you pick up speed.

Poole Boat Hire have very kindly offered £15 off a booking when using the discount code Dorsetmums at the checkout.  For more information and to book, please visit Poole Boat Hire.

Good to know:

• There is plenty of parking at Cobbs Quay however parking charges do apply.

• Hire price includes the boat hire, mandatory insurance fee, fuel and use of life jackets.

• The boats are capable of carrying up to 6 people so they are perfect for a family or small group of friends.

• Contact numbers are given should you need help while you are in the harbour.

• Poole Boat Hire can supply a doggy life jacket if required.

• It is very important to mention that you are not allowed out of the harbour although you won’t really want to anyway when there’s so much to explore within.

• Gift vouchers are available to purchase if you’re looking for something extra special to give as a present.