Three Counties Show Closes on a High 28th June 2011

Heavy showers on the first two days of this year’s Three Counties Show (17 – 19 June) may have impacted visitor numbers, but the weather did nothing to deter the good spirits of breeders, exhibitors, traders and the general public, delighted to see the region’s biggest food and farming event standing in the spotlight for the second year running.

93,000 visitors came through the gates this year, compared with 98,000 in 2010, but Show organizer, the Three Counties Agricultural Society, said it was delighted with the turnout given the continuing uncertainty of the economy, and a gloomy pre-Show forecast.

 

The Show hosted ten national breed society events this year, and attracted around 900 quality cattle – the highest tally in its long history. The popular Grand Parade of Livestock in the Main Arena each day was spectacular, with so many prize-winning beasts on show. 

Equine entries, at 2,800 were at an all-time high too, and there was an increase in agricultural tradestands and sponsorship.

Main Arena highlights included the superb Bolddog Lings Motorcycle Display, the Oatlands Park Pipe Band and the spectacular Red Devils Parachute Display, all attracting good ringside crowds over three days.

This year’s event was also the venue for the exciting Husqvarna European Pole Climbing Championships and the National Horseboarding Championships, each proving a popular feature. The YFC staged a fun programme of activities including everything from craft-making and metalwork to bath racing, decade dancing and photography.

Winner of the 2011 Inter-Breed Beef Championship was ‘Normanton 1 Eastern Promise’, a Hereford, shown by Mr. T. Livesy of Packington, Leicestershire. Reserve Champion was awarded to ‘Hackleton Vixen’, a British Blonde, exhibited by Hackleton Farms, New Hackleton, Northampton.   

The Inter-Breed Dairy Champion was ‘Jubilee Signature Ceres’, a Jersey, shown by Mr and Mrs Daw of Swindon, Wiltshire.

A Dexter, ‘Shilford Envoy’, shown by Shilford Dexters of Exeter, was Supreme Champion in the Inter-Dual Purpose Breed Championship, and ‘Castiard King John, a Gloucester, exhibited by Mr. S Fellows of Malvern, Worcestershire, was Reserve Supreme Champion.

Mr. Lewis of Narberth, Swansea, had the Supreme Champion, a Ryeland, in the Inter-Breed Sheep Championship, while a Charollais, shown by Mrs. J Curtis of Evesham, Worcestershire, took the Reserve Champion.

In the Pig section, Supreme Champion was ‘Panorma Beryl 25’, a Large White, shown by Panorama Pedigree Pigs of Neath, Swansea, and the Reserve was a Saddleback, ‘Prestcombe Golden Arrow 6’, exhibited by A Newth, Prestcombe.

On Sunday, National Rare & Minority Breeds Day, Champion in the cattle was a Belted Galloway, ‘Bigginvale Malcolm’, shown by Booth & Bell of Kenilworth, Warwickshire.

Mrs. Money-Kyrle of Ruardean, Gloucestershire, won Supreme Champion in the Inter-Breed Sheep section with her Llanwenog, and Mr. Julian Newth of Castle Cary, Somerset won the Supreme Champion, with his Saddleback, in the Pig section.

In the horse section, The Cuddy Supreme In-Hand Qualifier Champion was ‘Cuddington Alliance’, a Riding Pony, shown by M Reeves and Mrs. J Beatham of Middlesborough.

Away from the livestock and equine lines, William Gilder Ltd won Champion Tradestand, with Alexander & Duncan Ltd in Reserve. Charlie Beldam of Cotswold Gold, won the prestigious Bear Pit Business Competition, sponsored by Parkinson Wright, with his Extra Virgin Rapeseed Oil, cold pressed and bottled locally.

Entries for the Cider Show were up by 20% this year to more than 100, and international entries tripled from 2010. Best In Show went to ‘Out of the Orchard’.

VIP guests this year included the Society’s President, HRH The Duke of Gloucester, who was at the Show on Friday, Harriet Baldwin MP, and BBC Countryfile presenter Adam Henson of Cotswold Farm Park. 

In his message, HRH The Duke of Gloucester said: “At a time when the price of food is rising fast, and many costs following it, we are being encouraged to tighten our belts. It is also incumbent on the farming community to produce more and more better quality food that the world is crying out for.

The Three Counties Agricultural Society is there to help farmers in their task, as well as providing an opportunity for a splendid interface between the wider agricultural community and the general public during its annual show.”

For more information, and/or photos please contact:

For all the competition results, please go to: www.threecounties.co.uk and click on Online Results on the Three Counties Show page.

This press release is available on e-mail and via RSS feed. The Three Counties Show is a fundraising event on behalf of the Three Counties Agricultural Society. (Registered charity no: 511868).  

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