Agricultural Shows Archives

Reflections on 2024 and what lies ahead in 2025

Celebrating our events industry

The UK event industry stands as one of the most vibrant and diverse in the world, with a calendar filled with exceptional festivals, sporting events and cultural celebrations. Congratulations and thank you to everyone who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring some amazing events to life.

The D-Day 80th broadcast was a poignant reminder of how we can bring people together. Festivals like Glastonbury continue to sell out and agricultural events like the Royal Highland Show are the beating heart of our rural communities.

The event industry is a cornerstone of the country’s economy and local communities and the industry has consistently shown resilience and creativity, especially when faced with evolving challenges, as we have seen this year.

We are absolutely delighted to have played our part, supplying event marquees to well over 400 events across the UK this year. Our teams have also stepped in to provide temporary classrooms, storage structures and election infrastructure, demonstrating great adaptability.

Transformation

While we have much to celebrate, the past year has been marked by significant hurdles. The challenge of delivering large scale events sustainably, rising costs and unpredictable weather are what we see as the three key issues our event clients are facing.

These challenges have resulted in the cancellation of several festivals, creating a ripple effect across suppliers, contractors, and local economies. We are also seeing festivals announcing fallow years, such as the brilliant and independent WOMAD Festival, an event we are incredibly proud to supply. I have no doubt that these events will be back bigger and better when the time is right.

For business like ours, these cancellations and fallow years have meant recalibrating strategies and reinforcing our adaptability to changing demands. These challenges have enabled us to collaborate, plan and diversify, while focusing on sustainability and efficiency.

Looking ahead

We are really looking forward with optimism! There are many events to look forward to, such as the Women’s Rugby World Cup, with matches taking place in host cities Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Exeter, London, Manchester, Northampton, Sunderland and York. Bradford takes centre stage as the 2025 UK City of Culture with an extensive programme of over 1,000 events. Towards the end of the year, we expect to see continued growth in festive markets and Oktoberfest events that drive the visitor economy.

While the challenges are real, the UK event industry has demonstrated its resilience time and time again. With a growing focus on sustainability, innovation and an ever-present demand for unique experiences, the future is bright.

Collaboration between event professionals and suppliers will ensure the industry thrives in the coming years. We also have some exciting plans ahead to improve on sustainability performance as well as linking our additional services such as placemaking and illumination to provide a seamless event experience.

It all starts with a conversation

With our expert Project Managers and unique approach to projects, we would love the opportunity to find out more about your events and plans to see how we can provide a solution. For now, I am sure you are looking to a well deserved rest. On behalf of everyone at Field and Lawn, I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas, a prosperous new year and all the very best with your events!

Nick Radcliffe,
Managing Director.

Tastes like success at the Big Feastival

Posted on 11 Sep7 Nov by Mathew Hall

Big Feastival Event Marquees

Who – Big Feastival

Where – Cotswolds

Size – 25 structures, 1,630sqm

Use – Festival

The Big Feastival is a vibrant celebration of music and gourmet food. It offers a range family-friendly activities with a diverse lineup of artists and an array of culinary delights. There are a number of interactive demonstrations and live cookery shows spread across the vast site in the Cotswolds.

Requirements

Having supplied the festival with marquees for a number of years, we worked with the client to revise the specification for this years event to provide a site-wide multi-tent solution. The client required flexible marquees that would be suitable for high end, corporate clients such as Marks and Spencer through to practical and robust security check points, kitchens, staff welfare and general storage structures.

Solutions

With a fast tracked build programme, our in-house installation team worked across the site to install the structures in just 5 working days. We provided full project management support, designs and layouts and liaised with third party contractors to enable high quality fit out of the customer facing marquees.

Comprehensive risk and method statements were developed and we aligned our working practices with the site safety requirements. During the festival, we had a team available to respond to any requirements and keep a close eye on the weather as high winds were forecast.

Specification

The marquees and their specifications were varied and included a range of solutions for a number of applications. The impressive 10m x 20m “Cook with M&S” marquee and the 12m x 15m “M&S Little Cooks” marquee were both finished with cassette flooring, ramps and an open aspect gable to one side.

The largest structures included two open sided wristband exchange points with branded banner rolls to greet attendes. These structures were provided in long runs of 6m x 24m and 6m x 27m.

Other event marquees included:

10m x 10m storage tent with cassette flooring and a bespoke access ramp
10m x 20m crew catering, partitioned into preparation separate food preparation and dining zones.
Range of back of house marquees from 3m up to 9m such as mobility scooter charging points, wash up points and cleaning tents.

fESTIVAL SPECIALISTS

We are festival marquee hire experts and work with major events to provide site wide multi-tent solutions to festivals and concerts across the UK. We can also supply one off bespoke structures and provide national coverage across the UK. If you are organising a festival and want to get the best possible marquees for your event, look no further. Contact your local branch today.

Spectacular Southport Flower Show Marquees

Posted on 10 Sep10 Sep by Mathew Hall

Bespoke flower show marquees

Who – Southport Flower Show

Where – Southport

Size – 60+ structures

Use – Flower show

Southport Flower Show celebrated their 100th anniversary in 2024 and Field and Lawn were proud to have supplied over 13,000 sqm. of clearspan marquees for the event.

The show attracts 55,000 people over the four days, providing a wide range of things to see and do. Highlights include show gardens, floral displays, gardening advice, show jumping, a pop-up shopping village, cookery demonstrations, live music, entertainment and so much more!

Requirements

Our team were tasked with providing a diverse range of event marquees that not only housed stunning floral exhibitions but also supported the seamless operation of the event. The requirements included everything from large floral exhibition halls to essential infrastructure for first aid, security checkpoints, and welfare facilities, ensuring that the event ran safely.

Solutions

Over a three week build programme, our dedicated in-house teams installed over 60 event marquees. We provided full project management and on-site support during the event. GL events UK provided additional conical marquees, which were used to line the avenues around the site.

Specification

This is a large event and the specification ranges from simple 3m x 3m pagodas to stunning and luxurious hospitality marquees. The centrepiece of the installation was the Grand Floral Marquee. This was installed as three separate structures (25m x 50m, 25m x 60m and 25m x 45m) and connected with 5m pagodas to create the expensive main exhibition space.

Other highlights of this year’s show included the bespoke 15m x 20m cookery theatre with a 5m canopy entrance, where visitors were treated to live cookery demonstrations. An enhanced AV rig provided lighting and video screens so visitors could watch the action up close. This was completed with suspended flooring, doors, PVC window walls and banner rails for client supplied graphics.

The 1924 Lounge, a luxurious 15m x 55m marquee, offered a nod to the show’s rich history, providing a fitting tribute to its 100th anniversary. Here, guests enjoyed top-tier hospitality, making it a hub for the event’s vibrant social scene. A back of house 15m x 40m commercial kitchen marquee was joined to the 1924 Lounge. The kitchen was completed with ply flooring, carpet and PVC window walls.

Other structures included a 10m x 20m Bees and Honey exhibition marquee, with a 5m entrance pagoda, a beautiful 10m x 20m vintage Tea Room and a 3m x 54m open fronted run to create a “food walk” for traders.

Major Milestone Reached for The Orkney 2025 International Island Games

Posted on 30 Aug10 Jul by Mathew Hall

The Island Games are coming to Orkney

The Orkney 2025 International Island Games will take place between 12-18 July 2025 marking the 20th edition of the international sporting event and the 40th anniversary of its inception.

Orkney will welcome athletes from up to 24 island groups from around the world, competing across 12 sports including Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Bowls, Cycling, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Sailing, Squash, Swimming, and Triathlon.

A key milestone in the organisation of the event has been reached. Field and Lawn, based in Edinburgh have been awarded the contract to supply event marquees and temporary structures for the Games.

Provision of temporary infrastructure

With over 2,000 competitors and officials expected to attend, it will require significant temporary infrastructure. The Games will be Europe’s largest sporting event taking place in 2025 and the biggest event that Orkney have hosted in modern history.

The contract will involve the provision of 55 structures that will provide event infrastructure across the Island from Stromness to Kirkwall down to St Margaret’s Hope. One of the standout structures will be an impressive 20m x 50m clearspan marquee used for an exhibition and the closing ceremony at the Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall.

The Games will provide a platform to further develop the strong tourism sector and promote Orkney as the perfect host and Scotland as the perfect stage.

End to end event management from field & Lawn

The planning is well underway with the Project Management team from Field and Lawn visiting Orkney to develop the delivery schedule and installation plan with the marquee build expected to start in early July 2025.

Kirsty Talbot, Director of Orkney 2025, said, “ We are pleased to award the contract for supplying event marquees and temporary structures for the Games to Field and Lawn. The logistics of hosting the event are very complex, and we are looking forward to working with the project management team over the next few months to ensure a successful delivery.

Athletes, officials and spectators from 24 Islands across the world will be welcomed to Orkney in July next year, providing a unique platform to showcase Orkney – from the natural beauty and welcoming people, to our amazing products and future-facing businesses and industries. We are thrilled to be part of such a significant event in Orkney's history. This is an incredible opportunity to showcase our expertise on an international stage, and we are committed to delivering exceptional marquees that will meet the high standards of the International Island Games, competing athletes, officials and spectators.

The Orkney 2025 International Island Games promises to be an unforgettable experience. With events taking place across Orkney, there will be plenty of opportunities for spectators to immerse themselves in the excitement and cheer on their teams.

You can stay informed about the Orkney 2025 International Island Games by visiting the official website and following their updates on Facebook and Instagram.

About The Orkney 2025 International Island Games

Orkney will have the privilege of hosting the 20th International Island Games from 12 – 18 July 2025. This week-long event will see athletes from up to 24 Island groups from across the world compete in 12 sports: Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Bowls, Cycling, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Sailing, Squash, Swimming and Triathlon.

About Field and Lawn

Field and Lawn is one of the UK’s leading providers of event marquees and structures. We provide marquess to some the most celebrated events.

Field & Lawn Supports the World Athletics Indoor Championships 2024

Posted on 29 Aug29 Aug by Mathew Hall

enhancing event experiences for athletes and spectators

Who – Glasgow Life

Where – Emirates Arena, Glasgow

Size – 2,400 sqm of marquee structures

Use – Hospitality & Welfare Structures

Requirements

As a leading provider of temporary event structures and marquee hire for sporting events, the team at Field & Lawn collaborated with Glasgow Life to support the prestigious World Athletics Indoor Championship. This year the event was held at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Scotland, from March 1st to March 3rd. Field & Lawn played a key role in the successful execution of the championships through the delivery of event infrastructure and provision of logistical support.

For three days, the world’s top track & field stars gathered to compete for global indoor titles. The 19th edition of the championships took place in Glasgow, Scotland, attracting thousands of spectators to the Emirates Arena and millions of viewers through television coverage over the three days of competition.

Solution

Field & Lawn played a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of the renowned sporting event by supplying a wide range of temporary structures. Each marquee was carefully tailored to the specific needs of the client, providing a unique and customisable space.

In total, Field & Lawn supplied approximately 2,400 square meters of temporary structures within the event space to support various aspects of the World Athletics Indoor Championship. From hospitality to athlete welfare and administrative functions, each event marquee played a crucial role in enhancing the overall experience for participants and spectators alike.

The team at Field & Lawn demonstrated their expertise in event logistics by efficiently installing and dismantling the structures to align perfectly with the start and finish dates of the event. Careful, detailed planning and execution allowed the team to work closely with event organisers to ensure seamless coordination and minimal disruption.

As a trusted partner for major events, Field & Lawn continue to play a pivotal role in bringing memorable experiences to audiences up and down the UK. Our collaboration with Glasgow Life to support the World Athletics Indoor Championships showcases the delivery of high-quality structures and logistical solutions for major sporting events. As a result, we have shaved a full day off the installation programme between years. The scale of the event requires a large amount of branch stock so careful project management and programming is key.

Specification

Hospitality Marquee: Field & Lawn supplied a spacious hospitality marquee, measuring 20 meters by 25 meters, to accommodate VIP guests, corporate clients, sponsors, and officials. This structure served as a hub for networking, entertainment, and premium viewing experiences for distinguished attendees.
Athlete Welfare Marquees: Two large marquees, measuring 15 meters by 60 meters and 15 meters by 40 meters respectively, acted as athlete welfare structures. These tents provided a comfortable and functional space for athletes to relax, warm up, and prepare for their events.
Accreditation & Administration Marquee: A dedicated 20-meter by 15-meter event tent was supplied to serve as the central hub for accreditation, administration, and event logistics. This structure facilitated efficient check-in procedures for athletes, staff, and media personnel, ensuring smooth operations throughout the championships.

Feedback:

"Following a competitive tender process Field and Lawn were able to mobile and plan the project very quickly. The team were a pleasure to work with, understood our requirements, collaborated with other contractors and delivered high quality marquees for the championships. Thanks for doing a great job!”

Five-star service for leading agricultural show

Posted on 18 Jul18 Jul by Mathew Hall

agricultural show marquee solutions

Who – The Royal Cheshire County Show

Where – Knutsford, Cheshire

Size – 59 structures, providing 20,000+m2 of marquee space

Use – Agricultural Show

The Royal Cheshire Show is a prestigious rural event held annually, attracting thousands of visitors with its diverse range of attractions, including animal displays, food halls, live entertainment, and various exhibitions. The 2024 show featured over 3,000 animals, a horse show, the Sheep Show, and the Food Hall & Food Live Theatre, among other attractions.

Requirements

The client required various types of marquees and structures to accommodate different activities and exhibits, ensuring functionality, safety, and aesthetic appeal. Resulting in a very diverse range of marquee solutions, from a 4m x 4m bus stop right through to an expansive 20m x 60m “agritech” exhibition hall.

The show received the honour of ‘Royal’ status in 2016 and has been celebrating all that is great and good about the countryside since 1838. With such a rich history, quality is paramount to the success of the event. Finally, there is a challenging build window of just 14 days.

Solution

We provided a wide range of agricultural marquees and structures, completely transforming the rural location to a fully functioning show site. Field and Lawn are the principle suppliers and have been awarded a five year contract for the event. This has enabled us to refine our operational delivery to improve every year. We ensure that the same foreman manages the build every year. This means we understand the site, have developed great client relationships.

As a result, we have shaved a full day off the installation programme between years. The scale of the event requires a large amount of branch stock so careful project management and programming is key.

Specification

This is one of the largest events we deliver annually and the specification range from large but simple, open sided agricultural shedding, to the fully customised 825m2 VIP, Membership Restaurant. For example, the Member’s Restaurant included ply flooring, 4 glazed doors, internal screening and baffling, access ramp and rainwater guttering. Other highlights included:

• 12m x 20m Membership and Press Tent: completed with a suspended floor, fully Lined, specialist carpet, lined Partitions and flagpole.

• 12m x 65m Flower Exhibition Marquee: corner screened with a 8m x 4m raised stage with grey carpet covering stage.

• 10m x 25m Church: with a 16m2 ply floor section and screen in one corner, flagpole and 15m of window walls to let natural light into the structure.
Other structures comprised markets halls, a food theatre, exhibition marquees for Scouts and Guides, catering restaurants, a small photo booth, and event infrastructure such as first aid, pay points and ticketing.

Feedback:

Sometimes the simple feedback says the most!…

"Good team, worked well, very accommodating"