Full Steam Ahead for the Three Counties Show
2009-05-27

It may be curtains for Warwickshire’s Royal Show after this year, but its long running equivalent, the Three Counties Show, is already gearing up for the future.

Show organiser, the Three Counties Agricultural Society, is currently preparing for the Midlands’ favourite annual food and farming spectacular taking place at its pretty Malvern Showground home between Friday 19 and Sunday 21 June.

And, in spite of continued troubles in the industry and a tough financial climate, both livestock and equine entries, and exhibitor numbers are surprisingly healthy in the main, as the show, which suffered the impact of Bluetongue last year, appears to be weathering yet another storm.

Only the dairy section looks set to reduce significantly, in line with diminishing numbers of dairy farmers in the region.

Said Sharon Gilbert, Press & PR Manager for the Showground: “It would be unwise to ignore the demise of the Royal Show; the industry is very uncertain after all, but this event has survived many difficult times in recent years - foot and mouth, bovine tuberculosis, flooding and of course Bluetongue, so we’re rising to the challenge as always.

We continue to step up our efforts to build on the farming and countryside content of the event, as many farmers in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire rely on us to provide a platform for showcasing livestock and produce. We are also introducing more new features again this year to entice visitors from both the farming and the non–farming communities.”

The Three Counties Show has agriculture at its heart, and one of the highlights is The Grand Parade of Livestock each day. It’s an opportunity to see Britain’s finest breeds – everything from Hereford and Dexter cows, Suffolk and Ryeland sheep and Tamworth and Gloucester Old Spot pigs – at close range and in all their beauty.

But the event celebrates all aspects of countryside life including locally produced food, rural skills and crafts, together with top equestrian competitions, antiques, sports, music and even hot air balloons!

New for 2009 is the Malvern Dairy Goat Show, carriage driving trials and a new BSJA ‘2 Fence Show Jumping Challenge’ in the Main Arena, and under the wider umbrella of Regional Food and Drink with its much enhanced Cookery Theatre, and cheese and cider shows, comes a brand new Farmers Market.

Exhibitors will be selling traditional produce and some more unusual delights such as melt in the mouth chocolate and ‘Fuffles’ (a scrumptious mix of fudge and truffles), and Italian chef, Felice Tocchini will be cooking up some delicious recipes using local produce as part of the new Felice’s Kitchen feature.

Topping the bill on the entertainment front is the famous Kangaroo Kid, back on the show circuit for one year only, the Red Devils parachute team, harness racing, scuba diving, rugby, vintage tractors, a flower show, and rare breed cattle sheep and pigs (Sunday).

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