Rix first started exhibiting at the Driffield Show in 1947, just after the war and took a small stand. Having enjoyed it so much, we've been back every year since, and now usually occupy the biggest stand of all.
As Duncan Lambert, Rix Petroleum director, eloquently once said "Although we are a national company with depots from the north of Scotland down to the south east of England, Yorkshire, particularly East Yorkshire, is our heartland. That's why we always look forward to the Driffield Agricultural Show, which is the region's flagship agricultural event."
The Driffield Show is a much-loved event for the region and is one of the country's largest one-day agricultural shows. It dates back to 1854 and is hosted by the Driffield Agricultural Society in July every year. For the safety of all visitors and traders, the Wednesday 22nd July 2020 show was cancelled, making everyone at Rix all the more excited to hopefully resume our tradition next year as exhibitors.
At the Driffield Show, you can guarantee a fun, entertaining and educational day for all ages. As one of Yorkshire's largest agricultural events, it's known to attract 25,000 visitors with around 500 trade stands to explore, from the latest agricultural services and machinery to local food and craft stalls and much more. Not forgetting the livestock classes of course!
Interested in finding out more about what's on at the Driffield Country Show? This video gives you a great idea about what to expect. It's an excellent day for catching up with old friends and making new ones!
The Driffield Country Show is hosted at the Driffield Showground, East Yorkshire, YO25 5HP. The showground is easily accessible by road or public transport and a shuttle bus runs from Driffield town. In March 2015, the previous shed used for the farmers' market went under a £281,000 development to build the Rix Pavilion. Rix Petroleum is extremely proud to sponsor the new building, as the headline sponsor of the Rix Pavilion Driffield after a sponsorship deal with the Driffield Agricultural Society in early 2014. Now, it's a popular venue for trade shows, weddings and conferences with 300 seats and a dining facility on the town's historic showground.
At the Driffield Show 2019, there were more than 500 stands to explore! Over the years the Rix Petroleum stand has won prizes for their great stand activities, for instance, they received 1st prize for the "Best Agricultural Stand" at the show in 2014, and 2nd prize for best Agricultural exhibition stand in 2016!
If you're after a friendly face, a cup of tea and a scone in the sun then look no further. The Rix Petroleum stand always has an exciting activity to be enjoyed by adults and children. Each year Rix try to improve their stand and come up with a different theme. Check out the video highlight from the 2013 stand.
Overall, it’s a fantastic event to catch up with old friends, make new ones, and find out how the farming year is going. The show is one of the highlights of the annual farming calendar. It usually marks the start of harvest too, so it is a good time to speak to farmers and contractors and gauge their fuel needs for the months ahead, which is useful for all parties involved.
Rix always displays fun and enjoyable activities for all. Rix Petroleum's hot air balloons have been a regular feature in the skies above East Yorkshire for four decades. In other years, three balloons dating from the 1970s, 1990s and 2000s were on display at the show. For Rix, it was a historic occasion to have them all together in one place, the three balloons cover the whole forty-year period the company has been flying them.
At the Driffield Show 2018, Rix offered virtual helicopter flights of the area on their exhibition stand, using VR headsets. Visitors were able to fly with the Yorkshire Air Ambulance crew virtually! Also, the Yorkshire Air Ambulances helivan was on display for visitors to learn more about.
Previously, visitors got the chance to test their driving skills in a Formula One car simulator, lent by Total Oils, which took pride of place at the Rix stand. Lots of people were trying to get the fastest lap to win a bottle of champagne. Rix also had the real thing, a Red Bull Formula One racing car supplied courtesy of fuel brand Total on display. Rix Petroleum has previously donated prizes like a trip to the Lotus F1 factory in Norfolk for the winners of the Driffield Show, which included a tour of the famous car marque's UK factory for two.
In 2017, at Rix Petroleum's 70th Driffield Show, visitors took a walk down memory lane with a 1940's replica garage forecourt, historic photos, a live classical jazz band, all whilst they sat back and relaxed in their marquee with traditional tea and scones.
Over the past five years, Rix Petroleum has raised nearly £35,000 for local charities including Macmillan Cancer Support East Yorkshire, Cancer Research UK and Dove House Hospice, with the Driffield Agricultural Show playing a large part in generating this.
In July 2019 it was Rix Petroleum's 72nd consecutive year exhibiting at the Driffield Show. As well as the young farmers' clubs, Rix Petroleum also hosted their charity of the year, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Service, and the East Riding Engine Club, organisers of the Driffield Steam and Vintage Rally.
One of the many other businesses that Rix support is the Bridlington Young Farmers; one of four young farmers clubs Rix Petroleum supports across the UK. Helping the next generation learn the skills they need to carry the industry forward and be successful, is something we take pride in.
Back in 2015, a team made up of staff from Rix and Bridlington Young Farmers clocked up 42 miles on an exercise bike – the distance from Rix Petroleum's Hull depot to Driffield Showground and back in 2015!
At the 2016 show, Rix Petroleum and their storage tank supplier Envirostore had the pleasure of donating a brand new tank to the Driffield Agricultural Society. This tank was kept at the showground to hold GasOil for their tractors. Rix has a long history of supporting the Agricultural Society, so it was a pleasure to help them out when they could.
What activities are children friendly?
At theDriffield Show 2019, Rix Petroleum sponsored the hook-a-duck game which was run by three young farmers groups – Wragby, Bridlington and Alnwick. The hook-a-duck game on the company's stand was won by four-year-old Freddie Coutts-Lawson, from Driffield, and four-year-old Sophie Artley from Kilham. The hook-a-duck was very popular with kids and adults alike, so it's a fantastic opportunity for some family fun in the sun.
In previous years, Bridlington Young Farmers Club brought a wooden cow along that children and adults could milk, which was enjoyed by visitors throughout the day. In the meantime, Dove House had a team of face painters on hand to keep the children happy.
One both the adults and children have enjoyed in the past is the hunt to find 25 golden gnomes which were hidden around other exhibitor's stands in 2014. Each gnome carried a prize ranging from a free boiler service to 500 litres of home heating oil delivered to the lucky winner's door!
When is the next Driffield Country Show?
The next Driffield Show is scheduled for Wednesday 21st July 2021, COVID-19 permitting. The whole Rix team look forward to the show every year, and we look forward to seeing you at the show next summer! If you are attending the show, pop over to our stand and say hello and enjoy a warm welcome.
For more information about future dates of the show or details of the Rix Pavilion Driffield, make sure to check out the Driffield Showground FAQs.
If you'd like to find out about services that Rix Agriculture provides, contact your local Rix Petroleum fuel depot or get in touch with a member of our friendly team today.
