Royal Windsor Horse Show (1–5 May), is delighted to announce details of a further three Activity Hubs that will be debuting at the Show.
The five Hubs, which cover everything from gardening to art to children’s activities, aim to engage and educate spectators providing continued entertainment in the midst of the huge schedule of equestrian action at the Show.
Windsor Castle Gardens Manager, Adam Scott
Show Director, Simon Brooks-Ward, said: “We’re really proud to see the way the Hubs are shaping up. They are going to bring an exciting new element to the Show, with something for everyone of all ages and interests.”
The ‘Garden Hub’ will be a green oasis amongst the hustle and bustle of the Show. The Hub will be headlined by British gardening icon Alan Titchmarsh and has been curated by the Windsor Castle Gardens Manager, Adam Scott, along with Jamie Butterworth of Form Plants.
Each day, Titchmarsh will host talks alongside horticultural experts from the Windsor Crown Estate, discussing topics such as seasonal gardening conundrums and future-proofing your garden for the changing climate. Visitors to the Hub will also be able to sample botanical delights at the Garden Hub’s Bar as well as enjoy tastings from SoGood Sake whilst engaging with the greenery. Throughout the Hub, visitors can enjoy some stunning plant displays provided by Jamie Butterworth – a multiple-award winner at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show – with many of the plants on display available for purchase.
Adding to the attractions within the Garden Hub is the displays and retail space, prepared by the team from Windsor Castle Royal Gardens. They will be showcasing plants that have been used in royal functions and State Visits. The plants that have been grown in the Royal Nursery within the Castle’s estate will also be available for purchase alongside a range of Royal Gardens horticultural tools and gifts.
Sponsored by New Horizon Plastics, a specialist in plastics recycling and supporting partner of Royal Windsor Horse Show, the ‘Sustainability Hub’ will be one not to miss. Environmental sustainability has become a critical topic in the equestrian world for everyone from amateurs to professionals, and this Hub will showcase how horse and yard owners can work to reduce their environmental impact.
In a stable setting, New Horizon Plastics is demonstrating the many ways in which they help equestrian owners recycle currently unavoidable yard waste like plastic feed bags and bales wraps or manure. Visitors to this hub will be able to learn about the equine carbon calculator that has been created by technology industry leaders, Farm Carbon Toolkit. The tool, which will be free to use, will help owners understand where most of their carbon footprint lies and provide information on how to reduce emissions in those areas.
The ‘LeMieux Children’s Hub’ is an engaging free area for ‘pony-mad’ children aged over three-years-old to indulge their passion. The Hub is a destination full of fun and exciting activities that are ideal in any weather, where creativity, curiosity, and competitive spirit can flourish. Each day there will be a packed schedule of entertainment which includes Hobby Horse clear round jumping, crafting, and storytelling with Pony Magazine as well as Meet and Greets with some famous faces including Lemon LeMieux and Harlow Luna White.
Managing Director of LeMieux, Dan Mahoney stated: “We support equestrian sport at every level and for every age, so we are delighted to be joining Royal Windsor Horse Show as an official partner for 2024. With the exciting new LeMieux Children’s Hub at the show, we will inspire the new generation of young equestrians with our educational children’s toy collection and a packed schedule of exciting equine activities.”
Next to the LeMieux Children’s Hub is The Little Muddy Boots garden which takes place on the weekend days of the Show and is perfect for younger visitors. The outdoor children’s garden will be created by Little Muddy Boots, a local venture that was established in 2014 to enable more children to connect with nature in a safe and stimulating outdoor environment. This area will have various carefully planned activities for smaller children, including planting, garden play, a mud kitchen, a crafting table, and forest school along with much more.
Finally, in exciting news for the ‘Entertainment Hub’, Debbie Wiseman and Alan Titchmarsh will be joined at the weekend by the wonderfully funny and entertaining British comedian and actress Su Pollard. Pollard is one of the United Kingdom’s national treasures with a career spanning over 45 years. She is most famous for her role in the sitcom Hi-de-Hi and appeared in You Rang, M’Lord and Oh, Doctor Beeching.
Throughout the weekend, visitors are sure to be delighted by the unique comical talent of Pollard, who will be telling stories, poems, and anecdotes of her career in the theatre, as well as performing musical songs accompanied by Steve Edis. Pollard will host the Entertainment Hub across the weekend, and will be responsible for introducing several international acts from around the world of entertainment, including Aerialist Charlee Oakton, acrobat juggler Jamie Double, Hula Hoop performer Eli Stephanie, and Royal Windsor favourites the Acro Chaps.
