10:10am Monday 14th June 2010
By Mike Pryce
WITH the Galloping Gunners topping the bill, advance tickets sales up by 25 per cent, the most cattle entries for more than a decade and the Archers out in force to celebrate their diamond jubilee, this year’s Three Counties Show at Malvern next weekend promises to be a real humdinger.
Sharon Gilbert, the show’s press and PR manager, said: “We are looking forward to what we hope will be a very successful event.
They say every cloud has a silver lining and the sad demise of the Royal Show at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, has brought about inevitable opportunities for the Three Counties. We correctly anticipated the loss of the Royal might benefit us and expanded our livestock facilities in readiness.
The result has been a waiting list for cattle exhibitors for the first time in 10 years and an influx of new competitions.
“Advance family ticket sales have also improved dramatically, partly through our strategy of including more free activities in the package.”
There really should be something for everyone across the panoramic 70-acre showground at the foot of the Malvern Hills and the cherry on the cake is the spectacular presence of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, arguably the most impressive and popular outdoor attraction in the UK today.
The pounding of the horse’s hooves, the gleaming and ground shaking one-and-a-half-ton limbers and the thunder of the guns, all add up to a dramatic crowd pleaser.
Although part of its regiment is on duty in Afghanistan, the King’s Troop will still be sending its full display team to Malvern to perform twice-daily musical rides. Nick Vincent, the show’s chief executive, said: “There is nothing quite like the King’s Troop to inspire a sense of patriotism and keep you on the edge of your seat at the same time.”
Talking about patriotism, for those who want to follow England’s progress in the World Cup, matches will be shown on a big screen on the showground.
On a rather more bucolic media front, fans of BBC Radio 4’s long-running soap opera The Archers will be able to sample a taste of life in a special Ambridge Village at the Three Counties.
The Whitsun Bank Holiday marked the diamond jubilee of the very first pilot episode of the vaguely Worcestershire-based rural drama and as part of the celebrations members of the cast and crew will be at Malvern.
Dairy and beef farmers David and Ruth Archer (Timothy Bentinck and Felicity Finch), and their organic farmer cousins Pat and Tom Archer (Pat Gallimore and Tom Graham) will join other Archers’ characters who will be chatting to visitors on Saturday, June 19. Fans will also be able to meet party-loving bonne vivante Lilian Bellamy (Sunny Ormonde), buxom barmaid Jolene Perks (Buffy Davis), one-eyed milkman Mike Tucker (Terry Molloy), ex-jailbird and shop manager turned yoghurt-maker Susan Carter (Charlotte Martin), ex-teacher and golf club catering manager Kathy Perks (Hedli Niklaus) and the irrepressible, cider-loving Jack of all trades Eddie Grundy (Trevor Harrison) – who lives almost within poaching distance of the showground.
Line dancing, welly wanging, ferret racing, sheep shearing and Guess the Weight of the Piglet are the order of the day for the special village green, which will be surrounded by demonstrations of forgotten skills, a beautiful collaborative garden and a beer and cider tent.
There will also be a revitalised forestry section at the show with an exciting programme of demonstrations and competitions. New for 2010 is the Three Counties Chainsaw Competition, a thrilling test of precision, skill and speed, open only to those with a chainsaw certificate (at least CS30). The competition takes place on Sunday, June 20, and heats will be held throughout the day.
Herefordshire’s Holme Lacy College will be demonstrating fencing, hurdle making and clefting, while Pershore College will be demonstrating tree climbing and stick-maker Reg Marshall will be showing off his skills.
Visitors will also be able to see a working sawmill in action.
As usual, the packed programme of events and attractions includes everything from rural business initiatives to rare breeds, show jumping to scuba diving and parachute displays to an inflatable football pitch.
Add about 700 tradestands, the best of regional food and drink, a mediaeval village, a flower show, bungee jumping, free angling sessions and a giant “feely box” – put your hand in to discover what’s hiding in the dark – and the day should be complete.
● The Three Counties Show is at Blackmore, Malvern, from Friday, June 18, to Sunday, June 20. On the day admission is adult £17; senior citizen £15; child £6; family (two adults and up to three children) £39. Underfives free. Parking is free and the showground will be open from 9am- 6pm each day.
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