The excitement of the Royal Norfolk Show has been denied to us during the lockdown – so here are some reminders of extraordinary Grand Ring highlights throughout the decades, ranging from acrobatic cows jumping through flaming hoops, to dazzling displays of horsemanship and motorcycle mastery.

%image(14615061, type="article-full", alt="Royal Norfolk Show Gallery. Motorcycle display team at the Royal Norfolk Show. Dated 3 July 1964 Photograph C10001")

The 2020 show was due to be held on July 1 and 2 before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

READ MORE: The Royal Norfolk Show will return in 2021 – but perhaps not as we know it

%image(14615062, type="article-full", alt="Cossack riders at the 1976 Royal Norfolk Show")

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%image(14615063, type="article-full", alt="Royal Norfolk Show Gallery. A parachutist lands safely in the Grand Ring at the Royal Norfolk Show. Dated 1 July 1965 Photograph C10020")

%image(14615064, type="article-full", alt="Picture of the Royal Norfolk Show 2005 at the Costessey Showground. Action from the Chevalerie Initiatique - Heavy Horse Jousting display in the grand ring. Photo: Angela Sharpe")

%image(14615065, type="article-full", alt="Royal Norfolk Show Gallery. W.R.A.F. Military Band. Dated 1 July 1953 Photograph C0205")

%image(14615066, type="article-full", alt="Royal Norfolk Show Gallery. Motorcycle display team at the Royal Norfolk Show. Dated July 1964 Photograph C10009")

%image(14615067, type="article-full", alt="Royal Norfolk Show Gallery. Motorcycle Display Team in action in the Grand Ring at the Royal Norfolk Show. Dated 1958 Photograph C0191")

%image(14615068, type="article-full", alt="Log chopping competition at the 1964 Royal Norfolk Show")

%image(14615069, type="article-full", alt="A Viking warship float at the 1966 Royal Norfolk Show")

%image(14615070, type="article-full", alt="Navy display team at the 1975 Royal Norfolk Show")

%image(14615071, type="article-full", alt="JCB dancing diggers at the 1989 Royal Norfolk Show")

%image(14615072, type="article-full", alt="Royal Norfolk Show Gallery. Australian axemen demonstrate their skill in the tree-chopping event at the Royal Norfolk Show. Dated 1960s Photograph C10018")

%image(14615073, type="article-full", alt="Royal Norfolk Show Gallery. The disciplined riding of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery. Dated 1 July 1971 Photograph C10047")

%image(14615074, type="article-full", alt="Royal Norfolk Show 1974. At the end of the displays the Pageant was "played out" by the Norfolk Youth Orchestra, surrounded by flag bearers - a colourful finale. The piece they played? "The Age of Youth". Pic taken 27th June 1974 c12026")

%image(14615075, type="article-full", alt="An 1876 Skelton Gig was the winning exhibit in the driving class at the Roayal Norfolk Show 1967 edp 24/05/03")

%image(14615076, type="article-full", alt="ROYAL NORFOLK SHOW. JUNIOR LEADERS REGIMENT OF THE RA GYMNASTIC DISPLAY JUMPING THROUGH HOOPS OF FIRE DATED 1992 PRINT C2701")