One of The Suffolk Show's longest-running visitors is celebrating 80 years of attending the event.
John Spink, 83, of Wetherden, near Stowmarket, has been attending the show every year since 1946 and joined his family on Tuesday for the latest show offering.
Mr Spink still lives on the same farm his grandmother bought 106 years ago.
Mr Spink said: "I know so many farmers there and I mean it's really a day of just going around having a chat with people and seeing them once a year.
"It's just remarkable to see the type of people who would have been stewards.
"My boys have been stewards for 17 years, and I was helping the young farmers years ago. Well, it’s just a nice event, especially this year, it's going to be really nice.”
Despite his legs causing him trouble for the past two years, Mr Spink has not let that stop him from getting to this year's show in Trinity Park, Ipswich.
Mr Spink says the only show he has missed was in 2021 when the show was cancelled due to Covid.
"This will be my 79th time because the COVID year was cancelled, but if it hadn't been for that, I would've been there 80 years. I've never missed it," he said.
Read more
Suffolk Show director 'absolutely loving' role ahead of bumper event
Supermarket rejected over threat to 'town centre's vitality'
New care home to be built on site of former silk mill site despite concerns
Mr Spink used to work on the showground with the Young Farmers' Club, with trailers carrying people around the grounds, until household safety stopped that.
"It's amazing how it's changed, with all the machinery, there are lots of different events for the public, and it's still an interesting venue for people to go to,” he said.
Mr Spink is a fan of country shows travelling with his wife across the UK to visit popular events including the Royal Highland Show and the Royal Cornwall Show.
Share