Problems with Balmoral show

ripplyuk

My partner and I went to the show on Friday. We go every year and thought that the move away from the King's hall would make it less crowded but it hasn't made the slightest difference. We could barely move and most of our time was spent standing amidst crowds going nowhere.

Finding our way around the place was difficult to say the least. The map we were given often didn't add up to were things actually were in the grounds. None of the paths have markings and it's impossible to know where you are. Also, there are no landmarks to get your bearings. At least the King's hall had tall, distinctive buildings to judge where you are.

The dust at the venue is horrendous! My eyes were stinging, my clothes/shoes were thick with it and I dread to think how much I've breathed in. I especially felt sorry for all the small children in prams because they're much lower to the ground and were just in a fog of dust.

Trying to find our car afterwards was another challenge, which took 2 hours. We eventually asked the staff for help and they asked us what time we had arrived as they could then tell us what area we would have been parked. They directed us to entirely the wrong area. When we explained that we were sure it was in a different area they said that the area wasn't even opened until much later. None of them seemed to have any idea of the local roads, entrances etc. We later ignored them and found the car in the overflow car park which they had assured us wasn't open when we arrived.

There were lots of other people in the same situation. We watched the same faces going around the car park again and again. At one point, we were thinking our car had been stolen. My partner decided that he would keep searching while I waited in one spot. Another gentleman had to leave his three children in the same spot while he kept searching too. I could see how worried he was about having to leave them.

My last issue is that there is hardly any seating in the catering area. We had to eat standing near to the bins with other people sitting on upturned crates/boxes etc.

For all of this, we paid £43 for entry and parking. Given the crowds, they must be making a fortune! I'm wondering were this money goes, as it clearly isn't put into improving the show for visitors. Did anyone else have similar problems? Personally, I wish it was back at the King's hall. There were problems but nothing compared to this!

jenheiffer

Sounds like a right nightmare, and frankly I'm not in the least surprised. Like a lot of things in N. Ireland this move was done in too much of a hurry without any proper joined up thinking. I don't drive, and the thought of piling onto crowded buses like cattle only to wander around like lost sheep isn't my idea of a fun day out.

qwert_yuiop

jenheiffer wrote: »

Sounds like a right nightmare, and frankly I'm not in the least surprised. Like a lot of things in N. Ireland this move was done in too much of a hurry without any proper joined up thinking. I don't drive, and the thought of piling onto crowded buses like cattle only to wander around like lost sheep isn't my idea of a fun day out.

We had a fine day out, but that was Wednesday. Train from portadown, free bus to the show and straight in. Nice sunny day, lots of interest, met loads of people we knew (including princess Anne -the glamour) and had a minor row with Nigel farage. Yea, it was pretty good.

ripplyuk

I really think they could improve it somewhat for very little money. Add some distinctive signs or 'landmarks', colour code the paths so you can work out where you're going, put more seating out near the caterers, even just long benches. Car finding would be much easier if they numbered all the areas, not just a few.

And replace the surface. I'm still coughing up muck! It would be easy to have rubber chip or something similar.

Mistral001

qwert_yuiop wrote: »

We had a fine day out, but that was Wednesday. Train from portadown, free bus to the show and straight in. Nice sunny day, lots of interest, met loads of people we knew (including princess Anne -the glamour) and had a minor row with Nigel farage. Yea, it was pretty good.

You should pick up those names before you trip on them:D

qwert_yuiop

Mistral001 wrote: »

You should pick up those names before you trip on them:D

As I say, the glamour, the glamour. Farage was dressed as an English farmer - tweeds, waistcoat, corduroy breeks. 'Cause that's how farmers dress, isn't it?

Cotta

qwert_yuiop wrote: »

As I say, the glamour, the glamour. Farage was dressed as an English farmer - tweeds, waistcoat, corduroy breeks. 'Cause that's how farmers dress, isn't it?

That's an exaggeration in relation to his dress sense, however it's clear from a number of interviews that he has no interest or knowledge in Northern Ireland.

qwert_yuiop

Cotta wrote: »

That's an exaggeration in relation to his dress sense, however it's clear from a number of interviews that he has no interest or knowledge in Northern Ireland.

I presume he'd dressed up for the day. He'd need to think of something if he's going to get the lads to vote against receiving their single farm payments from Brussels. As for his NI candidate - attractive blonde streaks, Henry.

Cotta

qwert_yuiop wrote: »

I presume he'd dressed up for the day. He'd need to think of something if he's going to get the lads to vote against receiving their single farm payments from Brussels. As for his NI candidate - attractive blonde streaks, Henry.

I checked out his dress code and it's the light suit he regularly wears.

UKIP are unlikely to make a splash in NI - very poor showing from Farage over here.

qwert_yuiop

Cotta wrote: »

I checked out his dress code and it's the light suit he regularly wears.

UKIP are unlikely to make a splash in NI - very poor showing from Farage over here.

Oh sorry. I thought his Suffolk farmer garb was a failed attempt to fit in.

wacko911

As to 'where all the money goes' the show is run by a charity and is thus run not for profit but for the promotion of ni producers.

I think you should feed your comments back to the organisers as they are valid points in the hope they can improve things next year.