11:31am Monday 21st June 2010
FANS of BBC Radio 4’s long-running show The Archers sampled a slice of village life at this year’s Three Counties Show.
The fictional village of Ambridge, which legend tells is based on rural Worcestershire, was brought to life; there was a village green with live music, line dancing, welly wanging, ferret racing and sheep shearing to entertain the crowds, while cast and crew were on hand to mingle with the so-called ‘Archers Addicts’.
Godfrey Baseley, creator of The Archers, lived in the Midlands, and drew upon the Worcestershire countryside for publicity venues to advertise the programme.
Some of the key places featured in the series were based on places he knew – the Old Bull at Inkberrow was used as a prototype for the Bull in Ambridge.
The very first episode of the much-loved rural drama, which famously follows the ups and downs of farm life, was broadcast 60 years ago this Monday.
Today, Timothy Bentick and Felicity Finch, who play David and Ruth Archer, put in an appearance, as did their organic farmer cousins Pat Gallimore and Tom Graham, who play Pat and Tom Archer.
Fans can also meet bonne vivant Lilian Bellamy (Sunny Ormonde), barmaid Jolene Perks (Buffy Davis), milkman Mike Tuker (Terry Molloy), shop manager Susan Carter (Charlotte Martin), former teacher Kathy Perks (Hedli Niklaus) and the irrepressible cider-loving jack-ofall- trades Eddie Grundy (Trevor Harrison).
For dyed in the wool devotees of the radio show there is even an Archers Addict swap shop, an Ambridge treasure trail and a Diamond Jubilee gala dinner and Brain of Borsetshire quiz with Archers editor Vanessa Whitburn and actor Charles Collingwood.
“The Archers has a long association with the showground, stretching back many years, so it’s wonderful to be celebrating this special jubilee milestone with them,” said Sharon Gilbert, press and PR manager for the Malvern Showground.
“We hope that Archers Addicts and Three Counties Show visitors alike will enjoy the area and a very real slice of authentic Ambridge life.”
RURAL HOMES PLEA
THE new Government must make the provision of affordable rural housing its number one priority for the countryside, its own Rural Advocate Dr Stuart Burgess told a meeting at the Three Counties Show.
Dr Burgess, who chairs the commission for rural communities, was speaking at the big breakfast event organised by the Country Land and Business Association.
“My first plea to this new Government is ‘Please don’t set up a new commission into rural housing’,” he said. “We have had those. Now is the time to act and act fast or all will be lost.”
Dr Burgess claimed that the average age of those living in the countryside was increasing dramatically, which was storing up healthcare and healthcare provision problems for the future.
More young people should be attracted to live in rural areas and they need housing they can afford.
He called for more flexibility in planning laws and urged every village to see if it could provide space for at least a dozen new affordable homes.
“This will bring a new vibrancy to rural settlements,” he said.
“A lack of broadband and mobile phone coverage in many rural areas is also hitting young people and businesses alike.”
FARMING MUST IMPROVE
FARMING in Worcestershire and Herefordshire needs to improve and expand to make the most of the review of the Common Agricultural Policy in three years’ time, James Hervey- Bathurst, the president of the Three Counties Show, said at the opening of the 213th event at Malvern.
“Many involved in farming have benefited from useful levels of CAP payments in recent years, even if commodity prices and input costs have been against us,” he said. “We have been relatively sheltered from the financial crises. Much of what we see at this show will remind us of the window of opportunity we have before the 2013 review to improve quality or to diversify into other areas of rural activity.
“I am sure the impressive breadth of exhibitors, whether in the traditional agricultural field or elsewhere, will inspire and encourage others to learn and react so that our rural activities can sustain their vital long-term contribution to the national economy.”
Mr Hervey-Bathurst, who lives at Eastnor Castle, presented long service awards to six farm workers, who had each served for 30 years or more with the same employer. The long service cup and silver bar went to 83-year-old Mollie Joseph, who has worked at Lower Penalt Farm, King’s Caple, for 58 years.
SPECIALLY PROTECTED
THE pork from Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs has now gained “specially protected” status throughout Europe, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman announced at the Three Counties Show.
It joins 42 British products, including Cornish clotted cream and Melton Mowbray pork pies, on a register to prevent counterfeiting.
Speaking on the show’s pig lines, Mrs Spelman said the Three Counties was the first of several major regional events she was attending after taking over the environment brief, which covers agriculture and the countryside.
“As this is my first show, it gives me enormous pleasure to pass on the good news about the Gloucester Old Spot,”
she said. “It is great to be here to celebrate the unique quality of one of our delicious traditional foods.
Gloucester Old Spot pork thoroughly deserves the status and protection offered to it throughout Europe.”
Gloucester Old Spot pork has to come from pedigree pigs and the pork is extra special because the nature of the breed and the way it is farmed mean it scores higher for its tender texture and juiciness than conventionally produced pork.
“It is the 42nd British product to gain protected status, but I know there must be many other types of food and drink out there which could apply for this special recognition and I’d like to encourage them to come forward,” Mrs Spelman said. “Our great food and drink should be celebrated.”
HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES
FAMILIES flocked to the Discovery Zone where a range of hands-on activities, messy workshops and award ceremonies kept young visitors busy.
Staff from Cotswold Farm Park brought along a variety of small animals for children to handle, while blind woodturner Peter Bentley showed them how to make crafts by hand.
The University of Worcester was present with the Science of Magic stall and the Countryside Alliance Foundation taught them all about the creatures lurking in England’s hedgerows.
Yesterday morning, pupils from schools across Herefordshire and Worcestershire took part in the Colombian Fruit Challenge; mixing mouth-watering cocktails using Columbian fruit with local produce.
Fernando Alzate, deputy head of Mission from the Colombian Embassy, sat on the judging panel and helped pick Tenbury High School as the winner.
SIGHT TO BEHOLD
THE Three Counties Show’s Grand Parade of Livestock was a sight to behold.
This long-running tradition once again saw cattle, sheep, pigs and goats of all shapes and sizes take to the centre stage and parade around the showground’s main arena in the shadow of the Malvern Hills. The ever popular showcase featured the mighty Hereford cow, with its distinctive white face and red coat, Britain’s smallest cattle breed the Dexter, the hornless Red Poll and the doe-eyed Jersey. It was a chance for members of the public to see prize-winning beasts at close quarters.
The grand parade takes place on every day of the show.
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