A look ahead to the Royal Cheshire County Show

The county’s annual showcase of farming, agriculture and rural interests is back, but with a very special seal of approval.

Congleton Young Farmers and their 'Chicken Run float'. Top: Grant Pollard and Josh Wood. Kneeling: Becki Robertson, Claudia Bayley, Scott Jackson, Anna Wainwright, Tom Moss, Martha Gilman, Hannah Williams and Jodie Robertson (Image: Archant)

The Royal Cheshire County Show is one of the most highly anticipated agricultural shows in the county, and this year it is back with something a bit special – the honour of royal status. The show, which has been held for over 175 years, reached the exciting milestone earlier this year when the Cabinet Office bestowed the title.

With the inauguration of this new status, the show promises to be another fun-packed and memorable occasion for visitors, competitors and exhibitors alike. Held on Tuesday June 21 and Wednesday June 22, the agricultural event regularly attracts in excess of 80,000 people to the spectacular 300-acre showground at Tabley, near Knutsford.

The 2016 show will again hold the many competition classes for cattle, sheep, pigs and dairy goats, but will also include hundreds of classes for light and heavy horses, show jumping, rare breeds of livestock, poultry, rabbits and a dog show.

The popular main ring, sponsored by Creamline Dairies, will no doubt draw thousands of visitors to watch entertainment which includes a grand parade, eagle and vulture show and sheep dog trials, as well as other surprises to be revealed on the day.

Anna Shillington of The Cheshire Forest Hunt on her horse 'Humperdink' in the Inter Hunt Relay event (Image: Archant)

New for this year is Atkinson Action Horses, who have spent the past 20 training horses and riders for film and TV. You may recognise some of the horses as they gallop around the ring with fearless stunt riders from Poldark (season two) and Peaky Blinders.

Also featured at the show will be the Roberts Bakery Food Halls and Food Live Theatre, two large marquees containing all sorts of foodie delights. Go along to watch the culinary skills of local chefs and students, or spot a celebrity chef doing a demonstration. For those wanting to do a little shopping, you won’t be short of choice with 700 trade stalls located on the showground.

This year’s president of the show is Vic Croxson. With a wealth of experience in agriculture as an ex-principal of Reaseheath College in Nantwich and extensive experience at agricultural colleges in Shropshire and Staffordshire, Vic is also an honorary life vice president of the Cheshire Agricultural Society and has served as the society’s vice-chairman, as a member of the directors committee, and is still a member of council.

‘It is a tremendous honour and a very real privilege to be the first president of the Royal Cheshire County Show,’ said Vic. ‘I look forward to visiting as many of the show’s attractions as time permits to acknowledge the vital contribution of exhibitors, competitors, trade stand holders and visitors who together give the show such relevance and vibrancy.’

For more information on the Royal Cheshire County Show, visit www.royalcheshireshow.org