| LAMMA
LAMMA show cut short after successful first day
This year's LAMMA show was on track to be the most successful yet until the weather took a turn for the worse, leading
to the suspension of the second day.
he show was scheduled to take
place on Wednesday 17th and
Thursday 18th January and
opened on a crisp and sunny
morning.
However, the weather
changed dramatically overnight and violent
winds battered the site before daybreak of the
second morning, leaving event organiser
AgriBriefing (previously Briefing Media) no
option but to cancel the rest of the show.
Many exhibitors reported an excellent first
day, when visitor numbers appeared to be
heading for a new high.
Positive noises coming from the government
about its plans for a post-Brexit agricultural
policy and the improved livestock and arable
commodity prices that followed the Brexit vote
helped create the buoyant mood.
Many of the 900 exhibitors reported busy
stands and serious interest in their wares from
key decision makers across a wide range of
farm businesses.
Elisabeth Mork-Eidem, group head of events
of AgriBriefing, which owns the LAMMA show,
said: "There was a real buzz in the air on the
first day of LAMMA '18. Everything about the
show felt positive, it was busy and noisy and
had all the makings of an extremely successful
event.
"Exhibitors large and small used the event to
launch hundreds of new products, underlining
LAMMA's reputation as a launchpad for all
types of machinery and equipment.
“We were all set for a fond farewell to
Peterborough with over 20,000 visitors on site
on Wednesday, and the feedback we've had
from a number of exhibitors is that it was the
best day in LAMMA's history.”
T
34 | Farming Monthly | February 2018
Storm damage
However, the organisers were left with no
option but to suspend the second day due to
the extensive damage caused by the storm in
the early hours of Thursday morning.
Mrs Mork-Eidem said: "The decision to
cancel was not taken lightly and the team is
devastated as they work extremely hard all year
to make LAMMA the fantastic event it is.
"However, it was made based on the advice
of our health and safety team, our contractors
and the operational team. When I arrived on
site at around 5am, the storm had already got
hold and ripped open a number of the larger
marquee structures.
"At the peak we recorded gusts over 65 mph
on site. When the wind subsided, and it was
safe to do so, we sent out the contractors to
assess the structural integrity of the various
structures.
"Following that and as it started to get light,
we sent out our stewards to assess the internal
damage. Based on the information we got
back, we then made that call to suspend the
second day of the show."
Mrs Mork-Eidem said: "There was structural
damage to some of the smaller stand
marquees together with extensive damage
internally in a number of halls and also outside.
This included the shell scheme collapsing,
twisted metal, broken glass and stands that
were half collapsed, with the potential of falling
further when moved.
"We did get and assessed timelines for
making the site safe, but in reality this would
have taken too long," she added. "Due to the
nature of the showground, it is not possible to
open to the public as long as any area is
unsafe and we were left with no choice."
All access to the site was suspended,
including the car parks as the organisers would
not have been able to provide the necessary
welfare provisions for additional people, said
Mrs Mork-Eidem.
"It would have been impossible to ensure
visitors stayed in their vehicles and away from
the site. As we said last Thursday, our main
focus was to keep people safe.
"We did unfortunately have one serious
casualty in the early hours of the storm. The
individual is in hospital and should make a full
recovery and our well wishes goes out to him
and his family."
Mrs Mork-Eidem said she fully understood
how testing it was for exhibitors, visitors,
contractors and staff alike, and greatly
appreciated the understanding shown and the
help in getting everyone off site safely.
"We're also very grateful for the numerous
messages of support we've received since
Thursday, which have meant so much to the
extended LAMMA team of stewards,
contractors, traffic managers, security and
health and safety officers; for whom this has
been a very challenging few days."
Next year's event moves to the NEC, which,
as well as remaining free to visit (both in terms
of entry and car parking) should protect against
weather like that experienced on Thursday, said
Mrs Mork-Eidem.
"Curtailing the show last week was heart
breaking for everyone. We are now focusing all
our resources and working closely with the
NEC team to make sure we continue to deliver
a great LAMMA in 2019."
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