CELEBRATIONS for 60 years of The Royal Three Counties Show at its Malvern Hills base produced a dazzling three day extravaganza which attracted crowds of close on 100,000 over its three days at the weekend.

The show ground was packed with enthusiastic crowds enjoying all that is good about the best of the British countryside and what it has to offer and once again a number of local farmers and livestock producers captured some of the prestigious prizes on offer.

Bromsgrove Advertiser:

Head of Shows for Three Counties, Diana Walton, said: “Everyone involved in putting together this year’s diamond show has worked so hard and I want to take this opportunity to thank them wholeheartedly.

“We’re delighted and proud to have served up such a hearty feast of farming and family entertainment and believe that the show brims with the passion and dedication of all those involved, from the exhibitors and volunteers through to our visitors.”

She added: “We’ve relished the enthusiasm shown for all aspects of rural life and have experienced the most wonderful sense of community and we hope our visitors have left with plenty of inspiration from our rich variety of experts.”

This year, Worcestershire played Host County for the show with a strong county theme throughout including a colourful Medieval re-enactment camp that focused on Worcestershire’s exciting history.

Visitors were also treated to some of the county’s best music and art as well as tasty food and drink.

Bromsgrove Advertiser:

The show also welcomed back the Secretary of State for Environment, the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP on Friday - a visit which gave him the chance to talk to farmers and producers about the health and harmony consultation.

The Main Arena was the heart of the action with the thrilling Shetland Pony Grand National races and the Red Devils Parachute Team wowing the crowds with their spectacular displays as well as the awe-inspiring Grand Parade of Livestock which attracted huge crowds at the end of each day.

Bromsgrove Advertiser:

Local successes along the cattle lines included John Monk of Chadwich Farm, Bromsgrove, with his Highland entries where he won the breed championship with the farm’s three year old heifer, Urshula Dubh of Chadwich, and Annie Perkins, who runs the Grafton Fold Herd at Temple Grafton, near Alcester, also did well with the same breed and had the champion calf with Seud Ruadh 320th of Benmore, otherwise known as Orainaiche.

Bromsgrove Advertiser:

The Grafton herd also won special awards with a young bull, Hamish of Grafton and Morag Dubh 3rd of Grafton, a three year old heifer.

In the sheep section Mr and Mrs D Partridge of Droitwich won the Three Counties Fleece with a natural coloured fleece which included Jacob, Herdwick and Black Welsh Mountain sheep.

Elsewhere Mrs Melanie Clarke rode her Anglo Arab mare, Dowhills Daffi, into second place in the Ridden Anglo Arab and Part-Bred Arab stallions, geldings and mares, exceeding 148cms and Mrs Paul Norris of Redditch was runner-up with Bordesley Golden Tic Tac in the In Hand Palomino, two or three years old filly, colt or gelding, any height.

Bromsgrove Advertiser:

Mrs S Clarke of Astwood Bank also rode Furzey Lodge Weatherwax into second place in the Yearling New Forest Colt, filly or gelding category and Droitwich’s Charlesworth won on board Laybalands Dawn Flight in the Hacks In Hand class for small two or three year old colt, filly or gelding unlikely to exceed 154 cms/15.0 hh at maturity.

Several local Women’s Institute groups, including Bromsgrove, were on duty over the three days with the organisation celebrating 100 years.

To mark the occasion the WI is holding a special Festival of Music and Light - Sounds Amazing - on Saturday, August 25, at Bromsgrove’s Avoncroft Museum.

Bromsgrove Advertiser:

Tickets for this fundraising event, which starts at 6pm, are available on-line at eventbrite.co.uk.

It will feature live music from rock choirs to classical musicians.

Next year’s Royal Three Counties Show is scheduled from June 14 to 16.