THE corks are popping at the visitor centre of Herefordshire cider maker Westons after it was unveiled as the headline sponsor for the 2015 Malvern Autumn Show.

Ken Nottage, chief executive of organisers the Three Counties Agricultural Society, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Westons Cider visitor centre to our stable of influential sponsors and partners. Westons community ethos and heritage aligns perfectly with our work at Three Counties where we are striving to showcase innovation and excellence and to support local and national industries.”

The partnership between Westons visitor centre, which is at Much Marcle, near Ledbury, and Malvern Autumn Show goes beyond financial sponsorship as Westons looks to continue its mission of giving back to the local community and celebrating a joint heritage with the Three Counties that goes back decades.

Helen Thomas, the cider firm's managing director, said: “The partnership with Malvern Autumn Show reinforces the message that the growth of Westons Cider since 1878 is firmly rooted in our unique heritage which owes so much to the agriculture community of Herefordshire. We are committed members of that community and Malvern Autumn Show allows us to take some special features from our visitors centre, including a cider garden featuring Herefordshire cattle from our farm and dray rides for children, out for a wider audience to enjoy.”

The show, which takes place at the Three Counties showground in Malvern on Saturday and Sunday, September 26-27, aims to attract, inspire and educate people looking to enjoy the ultimate harvest festival and support the region’s nationally acclaimed producers of apples and hops in particular. The 60,000 visitors will learn more about how to enjoy seasonal produce via demonstrations from renowned TV chef Valentine Warner and BBC Gardeners’ World’s Joe Swift. The show has a vibrant vintage area and hosts the UK National Giant Vegetables Championship and an RHS Flower Show.