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2011 Cheshire County Show, Tabley Showground, Knutsford

By Cheshire Life on August 2nd 2011

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It is one of the highlights of the county’s social and agricultural calendar. And this year’s Cheshire County Show did not disappoint. More than 80,000 people poured through the gates of Tabley Showground to experience the fantastic show that celebrates all that is best of our county.

The two-day extravaganza was filled with death-defying stunts from the Bolddog Lings Freestyle Motorcycle Display Team, as well as countryside pursuits including duck herding, food from around the county and a host of celebrity guests. This included celebrity chef Nigel Haworth, soap star-turned cheese maker Sean Wilson and Jenny Pitman, the first woman to train a Gran National winner, who was there to judge the Lord Leverhulme Gold Cup.

Former Coronation Street star Charlie Lawson, who played Jim McDonald, was also on hand to answer questions from members of the public. He has been going to the show for 15 years and was delighted to be there again.

Charlie, who also runs Prestbury Farm Shop with partner Debbie, said: ‘I’m a country boy at heart and if I can do my bit and do all I can to promote agriculture, farmers and local producers then I will.

‘The Cheshire Show is something I have enjoyed for many years. It is part of life in Cheshire and I’m proud to be a part of it.’

It was a particularly special event for the Women’s Institute. As well as creating displays around the theme of Books, Book and More Books, the group were also the proud hosts of the prestigious Huxley Cup, a floral competition open to federations across the country.

Jean Harding, Cheshire WI vice chairman, said: ‘It is an incredible honour to be asked to host the Huxley Cup and we were delighted when we found out. Where better than the Cheshire Show to host something as important as this.

‘The standards of entries across all the institute’s categories have been outstanding and people have also demonstrated particular flair and skills with this year’s theme of Books, Books and more Books.’

But of course the main showcase was the high agricultural standards of the county. Farmers from across Cheshire, as well as neighbouring counties took part in different categories for a chance to win a prized rosette. This included Knutsford husband and wife Vickie and Andrew Sellick who took home a raft of accolades for their sheep. Conwy sheep farmers Edward and Jeanette Lloyd Lewis also won several rosettes, despite it being their first year at the show. Standards were high across all categories, including the British Blue Holstein which was commended by James Martin, a first time just at the show.

For Chief Cattle Steward, Trevor Stapleton, it was the best yet. It was also an important year as the show was chosen to host the first ever National Dairy Shorthorn Show.

Trevor said: ‘The standards this year have been exemplary and the numbers of entries is up again. What I have seen has been down to the dedicated of the farmers who come here.

‘To have the National Dairy Shorthorn here too is a real feather in our cap and an incredible achievement for us.’

Good equestrian displays were also there for the public to enjoy with everything from shire horses to show jumping. It was a good event for 21-year-old Katy Seedhouse from Willaston who qualified for the Horse of the Year Show.

Planning has already started for next year’s event – it takes more than a year to put together such a big show. Nigel Evans, the show’s executive director, is thrilled with how everything went this year.

He said: ‘“Although the weather wasn’t as nice as last year visitors have been out in great spirits. The event is a showcase for our fantastic county. I think people recognise that and are hugely supportive.

‘Planning for next year is already underway and we’re already looking forward to what we can create for the visitors.’

Tony Garnett, Chairman of the Cheshire County Show, said: ‘Attendance is increasing – it is a show that is bulging at the seams. All the support from exhibitors and visitors really cements the show as one of the highlights of the agricultural calendar.’

Mrs Michelle Briggs,the wife of Show Presient, presenting the Best Shire Mare trophy to Andrew Callwood and 'Manor Farm Lady of the Night' from Ollerton, Knutsford.

Harry Wood from Preston with 1st in class 4-years-old Simmental cow 'Popes Princess Victoria' and his cousin, Rory Wood, with calf, 'Popes Class Act'...

Grand Parade....

Shire on parade....

Show Deputy President, Michael Trevor-Barnston, and his wife Inger.

Show President David Briggs and his wife, Michelle.

Grand Parade...

Katie Donnellan from Church Farm, Acton, with Ayreshire Champion 'Saltaire Peggy'...

Grand Parade....

NAFAS (the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies) always provide plenty of colourful creative exhibits...

Cheshire WI

Cheshire WI County Chairman, Frances Woollam (right) and Vice-Chairman, Jean Harding admiring Cheshire's 2nd place entry into the Huxley Cup floral art competition.
The arrangement was created by Ruth Smith of Crowton WI.

The team from Mere Golf Resort and Spa....James Bradford, Alice Cox-Cooper, Mark Boler and Tom Davies.

Some of the trophies...

Shire Horse teams on parade...

Cheshire Show Executive Director, Nigel Evans.

Charlie Lawson (aks Jim Mcdonald of Coronation Street)

Audience in the food demo marquee....

Shire Horse teams on parade...

High speed action in the Pony Club games...

Cheshire Show

Cheshire Life stand....with Danielle Mullen, Michelle Baldwin and Marie Humphreys

Dog show...

Cheshire Show

Sheep show...

Love Cheese, Eat Cheshire......

David Wells of Joseph Heler Cheeses...

Parade of Foxhounds in the Main Ring...

Celebrity Chef, Nigel Haworth's cookery demo

Celebrity Chef, Nigel Haworth's cookery demo with assistant, Danny Young.

Meirion Owen from West Wales and 'Glen' his sheep dog round up the Quack Pack in the Countryside Arena...

Parade of Foxhounds in the Main Ring...

Twig Twisters Willow Sculpture....Sarah Hayes with 'students' Poppy Mason (5), Cordelia (4) and Jacob England (7).

Granville Price wearing a hat decorated with pheasant and goose feathers.

Chain saw sculptor, Tim Burgess.

Ten-years-old Marcus Callwood and dad, Andrew, from Ollerton, Knutsford, leading mare and foal, 'Hillmoor Annie' and 'Manor Farm Top Shot'...

Orbing....

Huntsmen and hounds head for the Main Arena...

Coracle oracle, Barry Jackson, instructing Erika Saxon (13) and Amelia Paton (7)....

Ten-years-old Marcus Callwood from Ollerton, Knutsford, leading mare and foal, 'Hillmoor Annie' and 'Manor Farm Top Shot'...

Jonathan Worthington of Nether Alderley prize-winng shires ' Bodafon Midnight Beauty' and foal 'Alderley Beauty'...

Cheshire Show

Love Cheese, Eat Cheshire campaign....

A taste of Cheshire Cheese for Sophia Garvey and Rhianna Ledward courtesy of Paul Appleby....

A taste of Cheshire Cheese for Sophia Garvey, Rhianna Ledward and Amy Calvin courtesy of Paul Appleby....

Cheshire Cheese..

David Williams and the Love Cheese, Eat Cheshire campaign....

The Bolddog Freestyle Motorcycle Display team provided thrills galore in the Main Arena....

A right royal welcome awaits from June Wilkinson, Hannah Rigby and Sues Williams at the Great Budworth Real Dairy Ice Cream stall....

The Show offers something for all ages...

Look....no hands!

Weighing in at 1300 kilos is Simmental bull 'Annick Vesuvius' led here by owner, Les Pennington from Mosley....

East Cheshire Pony Club team, Ellie Butler, Abi Caiger, Louise Worthington, Tom Williams and Luke Cairns...

Bull No 591 ' Vulcan of Upsall' takes to the parade ring...

Harry Wood from Preston with 1st in class 4-years-old Simmental cow 'Popes Princess Victoria'....

Weighing in at 1300 kilos is Simmental bull 'Annick Vesuvius' led here by owner, Les Pennington from Mosley....

Cattle couture.....Ivan Haire and Dennis Heath from Tarvin sprucing up Hereford bull 'Dorepoll 1 Chinook'....

2011 Cheshire Show Programme cover girl, Jessica Simms from Northwich...

2011 Cheshire Show Programme cover girl, Jessica Simms from Northwich introducing Limousin heifer 'Simbo Etty' to Show President, David Briggs, and Show Chairman, Tony Garnett....

Just champion...Six years old Ryan Shaw from Ledsham, Wirral, with junior champion Hereford 'Hallwood 1 Fiona'....

Stockman, Tom Houghton from Middlewich with best in class Longhorn heifer,'Jewel' belonging to owner, Andrew Jones.

Angharad Llewellyn from West Wales with 'Jasmine' her Longhorn heifer...

Shorthorn dairy cattle at the Cheshire Show for the first time.....

Mrs Pamela Garnett, wife of the Show Chairman, and Mrs Michelle Briggs, wife of the Show President, watching the Shorthorn dairy cattle competitions...

Sarah Whitley (14) from Harrogate picked up 1st prize for 'Cyril' her 8months old Gloucester Old Spot....

Ten years old Grace Bretherton from Kirkham in the show ring with 'Berry' her best in class Middle White Pig...

Champion Gelding Shire 'Arclid Odin' from Ashbourne with handler, Sue Prince....

The print version of this article appeared in the August 2011 issue of Cheshire Life

2011 Cheshire County Show, Tabley Showground, Knutsford

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