While many visit the Suffolk Show for the lure of the agricultural shows and delicious food, there are many quirky favourites to be found, too. 

Many were enchanted by the array of ornaments for being sold by Garden Wonders, with ethereal fairies made from stainless steel rubbing shoulders with life-sized pigs, made from recycled cast aluminium. 

Ipswich Star: Pig sculptures made from recycled cast aluminium at the Suffolk Show. Image: NewsquestPig sculptures made from recycled cast aluminium at the Suffolk Show. Image: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

“The pigs have definitely been the big-seller today,” said Steve Dowling, manning the stand.

Mr Dowling’s company, Home & Garden UK, based in Tuddenham St Mary, supplies the company with the materials to make the ornaments.  

“I think it’s because they’re life-sized, and they have such friendly faces. People have been falling in love with the pigs!” 

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Ipswich Star: Mr Dowling said that the stainless steel fairy sculptures had been delighting spectators at the Suffolk Show. Image: NewsquestMr Dowling said that the stainless steel fairy sculptures had been delighting spectators at the Suffolk Show. Image: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

Ipswich Star: While the pig sculptures were a hit with humans visiting the Suffolk Show, some of their four-legged companions were a little unsure. Image: NewsquestWhile the pig sculptures were a hit with humans visiting the Suffolk Show, some of their four-legged companions were a little unsure. Image: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

Meanwhile, Jackie Wild from Capricorn Crystals had brought her wares all the way from Lowestoft. 

“The crystals all have different properties,” she explained. “I always say that the ones you are drawn to are most likely the ones you need. 

“The most popular sellers today have been the rose quartz and the amethysts. Rose quartz help with love, while the amethysts are wonderful relievers of stress. They also help with sleeping.” 

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Ipswich Star: Jackie Wild made the journey with her crystals from Lowestoft. Image: NewsquestJackie Wild made the journey with her crystals from Lowestoft. Image: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

Ipswich Star: Rose quartz, said to help with love, on display at the Suffolk Show. Image: NewsquestRose quartz, said to help with love, on display at the Suffolk Show. Image: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

Over at the Sutton Hoo tent, volunteers were eager to share the story of Basil Brown’s famous 1939 discovery, which many of us have grown familiar with thanks to the 2021 film The Dig. 

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National Trust volunteer Ann Manning arrived fully dressed in traditional Anglo-Saxon costume. 

She was eager to explain to excited youngsters how the helmet on display was a reconstruction of the one discovered in the burial mound at Sutton Hoo, believed to have belonged to the King Raedwald, who died over 1,400 year ago in 624 AD. 

Ipswich Star: Ann Manning shows off her Anglo-Saxon costume at the Suffolk Show. Image: NewsquestAnn Manning shows off her Anglo-Saxon costume at the Suffolk Show. Image: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

Ipswich Star: A replica of the helmet believed to have been worn by King Raedwald. Image: NewsquestA replica of the helmet believed to have been worn by King Raedwald. Image: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)