Saturday’s Cheese Show was a romping success, with tens of thousands of visitors attending the popular annual show.
After the official launch of the society’s new Cheese Pavilion at the Thursday night Global Cheese Awards, the exhibition hall was filled throughout show day, with visitors exploring the delights on offer with over 850 cheeses, cheese trade stalls, the cheese bar and cookery theatre.
The society’s chairman, Martyn Brake, said the charity was thrilled with the new building. “Its size and quality make it a fantastic venue, not just for the Cheese Show, but hopefully for other community events throughout the year,” he said.
Outside the pavilion every trade avenue, marquee, arena bench and bar was jam-packed with visitors. The second year of the music stage was just as successful as the last with a great variety of music and entertainment all day long. The appearances on stage by Gem from CBeebies Swashbuckle drew in the younger guests, with many a pirate costume seen.
The return of cattle showing to the livestock village was welcomed by both exhibitors and visitors. Amelia Coates, show manager said, “It was wonderful to have them back and huge thanks go to all who helped with this. Many a comment has been made by visitors regarding the fantastic commentary in the showing rings, which really helped them to understand what the judges were looking for and the specific of each breed on show.
“They were, of course, joined by hundreds of sheep and goats with many going home clutching handfuls of rosettes!”
The show’s horse section continues to thrive with competitions taking place in three rings throughout the day. Judges were very impressed with this year’s showing standards and the quality of the arenas and facilities. The main ring’s action including relays, show jumping, a brilliant parade of hounds and beagles and the nail-biting six bar competition.
Showing quality was also seen within the rural exhibition marquees from beautiful handmade produce in the homecraft section through to the intricate floral art displays in horticulture, plus plenty of other entries from eggs and grain, to knitting and vegetable growing.
Amelia continued, “Huge thanks go to all sponsors, exhibitors and volunteers, without which the society could not continue to put on such an incredible event. Thanks also to every visitor who came; we hope you had a fantastic day and can’t wait to see you all again on Saturday 14th September 2019.”
