Charles and Camilla will make 50th show a right royal success

9:00am Tuesday 5th June 2007

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CHARLES and Camilla are set to turn this year's Three Counties Show - the 50th on its permanent showground at Malvern - into a royal celebration.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have accepted an invitation from organisers the Three Counties Agricultural Society to attend the opening day of the three-day event on Friday, June 15.

They are expected to arrive by mid-morning and stay until mid-afternoon, touring the 70-acre showground, watching displays and presenting awards.

Nick Vincent, TCAS chief executive, said: "It is 29 years since the Prince of Wales last visited the show.

"Co-incidentally on June 15, 1978 and we are delighted to see him return with the Duchess of Cornwall this year. It will be a great honour to welcome Their Royal Highnesses to Malvern, particularly as 2007 is such a special year for us. It marks the 50th Three Counties Show to take place on our permanent showground and is the 210th anniversary of the society."

The royal couple will be met by the Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire Mr Michael Brinton, and Mrs Angela Brinton and will tour the event with TCAS president Audley Twiston-Davies.

Herefordshire is the host county for this year's show and the royal schedule will almost certainly include a visit to the Hereford cattle ring, with an opportunity to meet members of the Hereford Breed Society.

Prince Charles and Camilla will also tour the livestock rings, taking in the national Angora Goat Show and the Shropshire Sheep Breeders' Association and Flock Book Society, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year.

Among other attractions, they will visit the food and wine fair, a display of perry pears from the society's NCCG collection, farmers markets and the new Cheese and Dairy Produce Show. They will also be invited to view the society's magnificent woodcarving worked in lime and depicting 75 features of country life over 200 years.

It was created by 12 local craftsman in 7,500 hours, to commemorate the society's bicentenary in 1997, and is thought to be the largest carved mural in the world.

The day will also be a special one for a group of long- serving farm and estate workers, for Charles and Camilla are expected to present the society's annual long-service medals.

These are awarded to members of the Three Counties Agricultural Society who have completed 30 years or more continuous service with the same employer, or on the same holding, and whose work can be considered to be mainly agricultural or commercial horticulture.

Normally awards are presented by the show president.