Royal visitors at Surrey Show
Royal Visitors add sparkle to the Diamond Jubilee Surrey County Show.
John Emerson presents Surrey County Agricultural Society hamper
HRH Prince Edward and Sophie, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, brought sunshine and a touch of royal glamour to Surrey County Show on Monday.
The Earl presented the prize for Best In Milk Heifer to Miss Catherine Elmes’ Crystal Baxter Belle 3, from Wiltshire, and the Countess presented the Group of Three Sheep Championship to a trio of Southdowns from the Wakeham-Dawson & Harmer flock in Lewes.
The Diamond Jubilee Special Prize for the farmer with the greatest success in the showing ring was awarded to John Gray and Sons, from Polesden Lacey, Surrey. The Gray family have been loyal supporters of Surrey County Show for several generations and their Ayrshire cattle have been consistent winners.
Beef Champion this year went to Smiths of Bloxham’s Limousin cow Ironstone Dumandy, from Oxfordshire. Reserve Champion was T C Brown’s Beef Shorthorn heifer, Grafton Lovely Dream, from Northamptonshire.
The Dairy Champion was Barnowl Jersey Stud’s cow in milk, Barnowl Eclaire, from Northamptonshire. The Dairy Champion Group of three went to Michael Clear from Pierrepont Farm, Frensham, Surrey, and the Beef Champion Group of three was won by Angus Stovold with his Aberdeen Angus.
The Young Handler championship was won by Charlotte Bosher aged 26, with Ben Marshall aged 15 reserve. The first Young Shepherd of the Year competition was won by Mya Hynes, aged 10yrs with Mr & Mrs R Wise’s Black Welsh Mountain.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex were shown round the cattle lines and the sheep and pig marquees. The Countess met Johnny Ball who presents the NFU Farming Roadshow, the Farmer’s Market and the Surrey Young Farmers. The royal couple were particularly interested in the woodland crafts and industries and in farm produce, tasting chutney and special Jubilee Tea Bread made with Imbhams Farm Granary flour.
They were presented with a range of gifts including a Seale Pink Diamond rose unique to Seale Nurseries, two hand turned wooden goblets by sculptor Roger Day and a hamper of Surrey produce by the Surrey County Agricultural Society.
The Show had a terrific atmosphere this year said Paul Ibbott (Chairman of the Society) with a real flavour of the Jubilee running through it. Our Society was honoured to welcome TRHs the Earl and Countess of Wessex in what must have been a very busy weekend for them. I was very pleased with the way everything went.