GUERNSEY’S South Show should take on a new, urban look. Peter de Sausmarez, whose manor grounds have hosted the event for 80 years, believes that skateboards replacing fur and feather could rekindle interest after this year’s show was cancelled.

But committee members said that without more helpers, not even extreme sports could save it.

‘The agricultural element is adequately catered for in the other two shows and it might not be so interesting to a largely urban population,’ said Mr de Sausmarez.

He said that interest in recent events including skateboarding and BMX displays on the Albert Pier was an indication of changing trends.

A new venue – possibly Cambridge Park – might help, too.

‘I have felt for some time that it has been going downhill. Now might be an opportunity to change direction.’

This summer, showjumping, traditional tented classes and Miss Guernsey all took place in separate venues and on different days.

‘They are flourishing. I would want to keep and incorporate them,’ said Mr de Sausmarez.

Show president Richard Breban said that there was no shortage of ideas – just a lack of manpower to help or organise.

‘We get ideas from so many people but, unless we are guaranteed help, we just won’t do it. We have in the past, hoping people would come forward to help, but it hasn’t worked,’ he said.

There was already a big craft tent and a lot of children’s entertainment involved, but Mr Breban said that given the population in the show’s catchment – St Peter Port, St Andrew’s, Forest and St Martin’s – it should be possible to put on a much bigger event.

‘With more people we could take it to another level and include more for teenagers and young people.’

Mr Breban praised the example of committee members Christine and Terry Guerin, who organised the Miss Guernsey event this year.

‘It shows that if we can offer young people something a bit different, we can then grow on that,’ said Ms Guerin.

‘Peter has some very positive ideas, but the biggest thing is to have people who are willing to come forward and run things.’

North Show president Bob Marquis commended the South Show committee for the events it did put on.

He said that an urban show might work, but it would have to avoid clashing with events such as the Harbour Carnival and Town Carnival.

‘We would like to help them and see it back up and running as it was before,’ he said.