PLANS are well underway for this summer's Cotswold Show to be held in Cirencester Park on July 2 and 3.

Now in its 28th year, it remains one of the Cotswold’s most popular rural events, with a mix of family entertainment, activity arenas, and 300 trade stands and food stalls, showcasing the best of the British countryside, its history, traditions and produce.

Headlining the main Bathurst Arena this year will be the Royal Signals Motorcycle Display Team - The White Helmets.

Recognised by many as the best in the world, the Team has been performing for over 80 years.

The volunteer soldiers from the Corps will take part in stunning displays with feats of balance, death defying crossover rides and outstanding acrobatics.

The Shetland Pony Grand National is making a welcome return to the Show, a gruelling course of fences to qualify for a place at this year’s London International Horse Show, raising money for the Bob Champion Cancer Trust in the process.

The Show's Apsley Arena is all about animals, providing the central stage for rare breeds, pig handling, dog agility and sheep shearing displays and, as no country fair is complete without a dog show, this year’s K9 Freestyle Dancing Dog Display promises foot-tapping entertainment from top trainer Richard Curtis and his pack of performing partners.

Originally founded as a showcase for countryside pursuits, Show visitors can expect to learn all about traditional rural skills through demonstrations and hands-on experience.

Have a go at shooting clays, archery and even ferret racing, and watch the experts at work in displays of falconry, saddlery, beekeeping, wood carving and more.

The Show’s original ethos “where town meets country” is still adhered to 28 years on with masses to see and do for the whole family throughout the weekend including tree climbing and bungee trampolines, an old fashioned fun fair and donkey rides.

New for this year, the Show welcomes StageSmart, Cirencester’s talented performing arts academy, who will be putting on a mini concert in the park, with local music groups, choirs and a few West End performers too. More details to be announced later.

The Food Festival element of the Show continues with the Cookery Theatre featuring chefs from Cotswolds hotels and restaurants including Emily Watkins, a winner on the BBC’s Great British Menu and chef proprietor at The Kingham Plough.

Also featured will be Barnsley House, The Potting Shed, local caterers Birch Catering and 3 AA Rosette Lower Slaughter Manor and its head chef Nik Chappell.

There will also be around 50 food producers in the food hall and two large catering areas with in total over 300 tradestands on the site making for a great shopping and eating experience.

Show Partners, BPE Solicitors and Moore Allen and Innocent, will both be prominent at the Show with their own stands featuring entertainment and refreshments for clients.

  •  Tickets for the Show are on sale via the website cotswoldshow.co.uk.