Following a Covid enforced break, the full Royal Bath and West Show returned over the Platinum Jubilee weekend for a three-day show. Lots of the familiar sights returned with livestock competitions, parades, equestrian events, the food tent, entertainment and much more. Bumper crowds came and the sense of community and joy around the showground at Shepton Mallet was evident.
The 2022 show also saw the return of the Church Tent, overseen by a small team headed up by Revd Tobie Osmond. The tent had a slightly different configuration to previous years, but it managed to maintain its café and calm space amongst the busyness of the show. One person attending the show commented that the show had been ‘quite challenging sensory-wise’ for them as an autistic adult, but ‘a (comparatively) quiet cuppa and sit in the Church tent helped’. They went on to say that having spaces such as the church tent in busy environments is ‘a very useful option’ and ‘quieter/stiller spaces in the middle of all that activity and noise are really important for lots of reasons, including for people with invisible disabilities.’
The Church Tent provided an opportunity to connect with many familiar faces of all ages, as well as meet new people throughout the three days. Within the Church tent, a window display created by the YEAST Scrapstore in Glastonbury celebrating creation and diversity was created, and a prayer space focusing on the Ukraine was available. Alongside this there was outdoor chalk prayer boards at the foot of the cross, sand and playdoh stations for children, and of course, free tea, coffee and biscuits – Cheryl Govier Growing Faith and Everyday Faith Adviser for Wells Archdeaconry said, 'Day 1 was so busy, we used the whole supply of biscuits we had intended to last for the three days!'
A stand linked to Ripple Effect, formally known as Send a Cow was set up, it offered an opportunity to share the work of the charity and to give more details about the name change which took place on the 1 June. £750 in donations from the church tent went to Ripple Effect.