EXCITEMENT is building for the Essex Country Show, the largest country show in the south east, on September 13 and September 14 at Barleylands in Billericay.

The Essex Country Show celebrates the best of rural Essex, past and present. Bringing together the very best arena events, demonstrations, attractions and exhibitions, it is now in its 28th Year.

Show highlights for 2014 include a Monster Truck Car Crushing Show in the main arena, Newfoundland dog rescue display and Peppa Pig appearing at intervals on both days.

Visitors will be taken back in time to print their name or short message using a Second World War printing press. Brought over by the American RAF during Wartime Britain, this machine would have used to update local communities on the War Effort. Today, the press is owned by Crescent Cards from Heybridge, who use it for commercial, educational and demonstration purposes.

Using Letterpress Printing, the Wartime Printing Press uses a technique that goes back nearly 550 years. To create an impression on the paper, blocks are carefully added to the press, inked and then pressed against paper to leave the desired impression.

Crescent cards and the Wartime Printing Press are supported by the British Printing Society and the working antique machines is just one of the press being used at the show, all aimed at bringing back to life the skills from days gone by.

Len Friend from Crescent Cards, owner of the World War Printing Press said: “We are very proud to be part of the British Printing Society and look forward to showing off the historic skills of letterpress printing. We hope it will inspire a new generation and may even convert some to a new hobby”.

For more information visitors should go to www.EssexCountryShow.co.uk