The spectacular Frome Agricultural and Cheese Show

A two-minute silence to remember Her Majesty The Queen was held at the Frome Cheese Show on Saturday.

“The Frome & District Agricultural Society was deeply saddened to hear the news of the peaceful passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” said Charlotte O’Neill, the Showground & Agricultural Society Manager.

“Her dedication and service to the country has been an inspiration to us all. She was a strong supporter of rural life and with this in mind we decided to go forward with this year’s show.

“On show day we flew all of our flags at half mast, our stewards and show team wore black ties or black arm bands, we had a book of condolence and at 3.30pm the whole showground stood quiet for two minutes.

“The Queen was patron of the Shire Horse Society and so Royal and Goose, two rare breed Shire Horses began our Grand Parade as a tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, followed by our Livestock winners and champions.

“Judging for the Global Cheese Awards took place in the Pavilion on Thursday morning. We had cheese entered from around the world from Greece to Spain, which was judged by 40 industry professionals including one judge travelling all the way from the Netherlands!

“This year also saw the return of the Global Cheese Awards Dinner where we saw First Milk Cheese Company become the 2022 Global Cheese Champion and Chapel Cross Tearooms take the Reserve on their first time entering! Saputo Dairy UK (Davidstow) took the UK Supreme and Cropwell Bishop Creamery took the Reserve.

Record entries

“The Saturday brought visitors from far and wide. We had record entries including almost 1,000 home & handicraft and horticulture combined. The support from all exhibitors was huge and it was great to see such quality animals and exhibits on display.

“Traders were prepped and ready for a busy day, seeing the return of the food and shopping marquees which sold out and all the agricultural stands competing for the best trade stand which saw Read Agri Services take the top prize.

Celebrity chef 

“Down in the Cheese Pavilion we saw celebrity chef and restaurateur Also Zilli cooking up a cheese inspired pasta dish along with a Q & A session. Also, we saw Stefan Gate’s from BBC’S Gastronauts put on three amazing performances packed with robots, cannons, rockets and extraordinary science stunts.

“There was also an array of free children’s entertainment to ensure wherever you went there was something for the children to get involved in. From the music stage, to the countryside area which featured the climbing wall, clayser clay shooting, and archery, and then back into the showground where children could try their hand at circus skills.

“Other entertainment included performances from Mere Down Falconry and Dangerous Steve. The Shetland Performance Display Team celebrated their 10-year anniversary at the Show, raising money for Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal and Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Charity.

Huge thanks go to all sponsors, exhibitors and volunteers without which the society could not continue to put on such an incredible event. The society would also like to say a huge thank you to new president David Heath and vice president Michael Rogers for all their hard work and support.

“Myself and Frome District & Agricultural Society would like to thank all of those who visited and we hope you had a truly fantastic day and we hope to see you all again at next year’s show which takes place on Saturday 9th September 2023.”

Charlotte O’Neill

Showground & Agricultural Society Manager

“This year also saw the passing of three members of the society. Julia Downs – Show jumping Secretary, Den Kurle – Countryside Area Commentator and Michael Joyce – Cheese Auctioneer. We would like to thank them for their all their contributions to the Society and Show and all our thoughts and prayers are with their families.