THE inaugural Midlands Machinery Show takes place at Newark Showground on November 12 and 13.

It aims to be a showcase for small and medium-sized agricultural businesses, which want to exhibit their range of machinery and innovation to those in the industry.

It also promises a topical range of seminars, covering everything from “grandfather rights” for spraying to rural crime.

Among companies taking part is Nottinghamshire’s FarmGEM Ltd, which will be showcasing its mounted trailed and self-propelled crop sprayers.

Spaldings Ltd, Europe’s leading supplier of wearing parts, fastenings and workshop equipment is also taking space as is Master Farm Services Ltd, from Suffolk, suppliers of grain dryers, and Strimech Engineering Ltd, designers and manufacturers of attachments for telehandlers, loading shovels and tractors.

But it is not all machinery.

There will also be a diverse range of exhibitors, from Spilsby-based Tong Peal, specialising in vegetablehandling equipment, to Witham Oil & Paint, lubricant manufacturers, based in Lincoln, and AB Components, the East Midlands filter distributor.

Newark Showground’s flat site with its free-draining sand over gravel provides an ideal outside exhibition area.

Taking advantage is B&B Tractors, leading supplier of high-quality industry agricultural machinery, Househam Sprayers, showcasing self-propelled crop sprayers, and Knight Farm Machinery, the sole UK importer of the Bednar range of cultivators.

The show will also provide a platform for services, security products, supplies and allied trade stands.

A programme of technical seminars takes place each day. Speakers will focus on practical advice and help on issues such as soil structure, health and safety and the “grandfather rights” for spraying.

Presented by experts from Chafer Machinery Ltd, MECMAR Grain Driers, and KOLA Health & Safety, these technical seminars are ideal for professional development and general visitor information.

To that end, the MMS team is working with NRoSO to ensure that the event is allocated CPD NRoSO points.

A range of seminars dealing with rural crime will be led by the chief constable of Nottinghamshire, the county’s police and crime commissioner and the Crimestoppers team.

Simon Fisher, NFU county adviser, will be on hand on both days to present information on how the reform of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy will affect farmers.

The full programme of topics and speakers will be available on the show’s website as they are confirmed.

Adrian Johnston, show chief executive, said: “The East Midlands is an area that’s rich in agricultural engineering expertise.

“Situated on a major road network and a north/south junction of the A1, Newark is an ideal location for an event that showcases the very best of what’s on offer and provides a central site that’s easy for visitors to reach from all over the country.

“With more than 70 stands already booked in, our George Stephenson Exhibition Hall now full, and our four other halls and outside space filling fast, we have been pleased that our market research has correctly shown that there is a demand for a show that supports our local entrepreneurial, machinery manufacturers and allied firms.

“We especially welcome smaller firms or established companies that have not exhibited before. We look forward to establishing this show as a must-attend event in the farmers’ and contractors’ diaries.”

The Midlands Machinery Show is free to attend, has free parking for thousands of cars, in-house catering, and access to wi-fi across the site. Official opening times for visitors are 8am to 5pm on both days.

For details on exhibiting, visit midlandsmachinery show.com.