The second part of our Cotswold Show & Food Festival takes a look at the fabulous food, drink and shopping opportunities promised for visitors to Cirencester Park on July 1 and 2
Regional food and drink producers are among those featured at this year’s Festival, showcasing a wide variety of handmade, homemade and cottage industry produce, from award-winning pies to champion chutney makers, microbrewers, wines, cheeses, oils, teas, and even award-winning Cotswold gin to take home.
The show’s popular Cookery Theatre will showcase the very best of the Cotswolds culinary talent with a rolling programme of cookery demonstrations by, among others, BBC Masterchef Professional winner Mark Stinchcombe and his wife and fellow TV chef Sue Stinchcombe from Eckington Manor; Nik Chappell from The Slaughters Manor House; The Greenway Hotel and Spa chef, Marcus McGuiness; David Kelman from the Old Swan and Mill, Minster Lovell; and Purslane’s award-winning chef Gareth Fulford; plus the chance to sample some of their delicious creations.
If you’re still peckish, the Showground plays host to plenty of takeaway food and drink stalls including a brand new street food area, all washed down with a tipple of your choice, from ciders and champagne to a yoghurt fruit smoothie. With all this on hand, you really don’t need to pack a picnic - there’s even natural, homemade dog treats for your furry, four-legged friends.
The shopping areas at this year’s show will provide the perfect opportunity for those looking to pick up something a little different. Selling everything from pet supplies, fashion, jewellery, art, indoor and outdoor furniture, and even cars, the full list of this year’s trade stands is available now at: www.cotswoldshow.co.uk/whats-on/shopping, so you can browse in comfort and plan your visit in advance.
The Cotswold Show & Food Festival has a deserved reputation for being one of the region’s annual tourism highlights, with its winning mix of varied family-friendly entertainment, activity arenas, agricultural and rural crafts, and shopping and food stalls. The event highlights what’s best about the British countryside’s past and present history and traditions, making it a must-attend family day out.
Make sure you get a ringside seat for the arena attractions. Horsemen of the Knight - a live-action jousting show – will be fast, fun filled and action packed with stunts, trick riding of the highest standard, amazing horses and horsemanship, sword fights and fire! British Scurry & Trials Driving – The Arena Challenge – is family entertainment at its thrilling best. Watch ponies and carriages fly around an obstacle course against the clock. Marvel at the skill of the drivers, the bravery of the grooms and the agility of the ponies as they take on a course made of cones, barriers and arches. Jump4Heroes skydiving will be hoping for clear skies as they land in the Bathurst Arena.
Brand new for 2017 is the World of Dogs, a whole area dedicated to man’s best friend, featuring terrier and lurcher racing as well as dog shows for both breeds. LG Agility will stage a fun and informative display as well as some dancing dogs for more entertainment. Luigi’s Smart Dogs specialises in canine education and behaviour and Show-favourite Cliff Waite returns with a gundog training display. Have a go yourself with your pet on the agility course or why not enter the Family Dog Show?
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) will be running a variety of events where dog owners can put their pets or working dogs to the test. Gloucestershire Police Dogs will be on show in the Bathurst Arena demonstrating how they are used on a day to day basis in different situations.
Also new for 2017 is the Cotswold Alpaca Experience. Find out about caring for alpacas, breeding them and their history.
Now in its 29th year, the show is hosted by its founder, Earl Bathurst, in 100 acres of glorious Cotswold countryside at Cirencester Park, the Bathurst family estate, and continues to raise invaluable funds to support local charities such as Great Western Air Ambulance, Blue Cross, RNLI and Cirencester Hospital League of Friends. The show’s sponsors make a vital contribution to its success; with 2017 show partners BPE Solicitors and Moore Allen & Innocent headlining the impressive list of generous local business sponsors and supporters. ?
For a chance to buy advance discounted tickets and find out more about the packed programme at this year’s Cotswold Show & Food Festival, visit the website at: www.cotswoldshow.co.uk.
