The Royal Cheshire Show 2018
We have just returned from our annual trip to the Royal Cheshire Show.
As usual, it didn’t disappoint. I visited last year on my own with the two boys because the farmer was hay making but this year, he was able to join us which was lovely.
It felt weird being just four of us. Boo was in school and we felt it was better to let her go than create an upheaval and, for a moment, we tried to remember what it was like being a family of four.
We seem to do the same route every year and, like before, the pygmy goats and poultry tent were our first port of call.
I love looking at the different breeds of chicken and secretly planning what my next purchase will be.
It was great this year because G was that much bigger. He really enjoyed himself, digging up potatoes in the NFU tent, holding chicks and asking daddy for everything.
The baby did the best baa I have ever heard as we looked around the sheep and G was dying to go and see the cows.
Despite him only being 15 months, he holds his own with his big brother and he had a great time too.
Both the farmer and G had a good look at some sparkly tractor porn tractors and I enjoyed perusing the country living marquee.
Next time, I will do this alone while the boys look at machinery because they were all itching for me to finish looking.
There were some new additions to this year’s show. We saw Martin Lewis, the finance guru an, for the first time since 2015, the Bolddog FMX display team is back and the farmer loved watching the dare devil tricks. I am not going to lie, the mother in me came out at this and I struggled to watch.
For foodies, there is something for everyone and it always astounds me the sheer amount of food that comes from our county.
From the fruit and veg to artisan gins and cider presses. Apple juice, bakeries and, of course the magnificent Cheshire cheese.
I spent quite a long time at the Cheshire Cheese stand, sampling and deliberating. In the end, I went for a mature Cheshire and I remarked to the man: “I love cheese. How awful would the world be without it?” Rather than look bemused like most people do when I don’t think before I open my mouth, he agreed and I can look forward to my cheese at home.
There was also the return of the Roberts Bakery food hall complete with culinary delights and celebrity chefs.
We witnessed sheep shearing, cow milking and sheep judging. We were both surprised at how pristine the showing sheep were and how much work must go in to showing them by the farmers.
As always, it was the warmth and sincerity of the hundreds of helpers which made it for us. Farmers wore tabards with ‘I’m a farmer ask a question’ written on them and they were so good with both children, even when G, wearing his Button and Bee designs tractor t shirt, told one farmer he wanted to be a farmer’s wife. I have never laughed so much.
With the two small children and some tired little legs, we didn’t quite get to the horse shows and the falconry display but if it is equestrian goods, pet products and country wear you are after, they have it in droves.
The farmer treated himself to a new coat for the farm and the children got ‘farmer in training’ hoodies although I might have to change G’s to farmer’s wife.
As always, I am sad it is over but I had such a great time.
The brilliant Bella Design Marketing did a brilliant job of the press and PR again and I am already looking forward to next year.
I was sent a press pass for the show but all opinions are my own.
Roll on 2019.
If you read this on June 19th, 2018, you still have time to go to the Royal Cheshire Show as the final day is tomorrow, June 20th. Don’t miss out.
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