The Royal Three Counties Show at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern

Post

Subscribe

Posted 2024-06-06 by Andy Coleman ⇒ follow

Fri 14 Jun 2024 - Sun 16 Jun 2024

One of the UK’s largest celebrations of the countryside and rural life is back at Malvern’s Three Counties Showground from June 14 to June 16, 2024. The Royal Three Counties Show promises to be packed with family entertainment, delicious food and drink, and hundreds of animals. It is one of the largest livestock and equine shows in central England, with the Grand Parade of Livestock, taking place daily in the Main Arena, a highlight. Hundreds of animals are led around the arena, while commentators supply information about the unique characteristics of each breed.

There are more animal encounters in the show’s Farming Village where 120 breeds of animals will participate in nearly 900 classes to be crowned champion of champions. Visitors have the chance to see the country’s largest gathering of rare and minority-breed livestock.

A number of special guests are scheduled to appear. BBC Countryfile presenter, Matt Baker MBE, will be participating in two Q&A sessions on Saturday June 15, and, on Sunday, fellow Countryfile presenter John Craven OBE will take part in a Q&A session followed by a book signing alongside JB Gill – JLS band member, CBeebies presenter and farmer – who will host a live reading of his book Ace and the Animal Heroes.

Matty Edgel, winner of Channel 4’s The Great British Bake Off in 2023, will put his skills into action on stage at the Food and Drink Theatre, as well as answering questions from the audience and signing copies of his latest book, on Friday and Saturday. Meanwhile, fellow 2023 contestant, Sakunthala Chandrasekara (aka Saku) will demonstrate her unique Sri Lankan cooking style creatively blended with regional influences from Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.

Kaleb Cooper from Clarkson’s Farm will be on hand to chat about some of his favourite cider recipes on the Food & Drink Stage, in addition to sharing amusing stories and anecdotes about working on Diddly Squat Farm at the Future of Farming Theatre.

The show boasts a packed programme of entertainment across the three days, including the return of the thrilling Bolddog Lings freestyle motocross stunt display team. In addition, the British Army’s parachute display team, The Red Devils , will freefall from the sky at speeds of up to 120mph, creating spectacular canopy formations.

Another show highlight is the high-octane entertainment provided by the high-speed axe and saw skills on display at the Stihl Timbersports Arena. There is also the West Midlands Area and the Three Counties Show Tug of War competition, which sees over 200 eager young farmers from across six counties competing to be crowned champion, taking place on Sunday, June 16.

In the Countryside Area, there will be birds of prey, including eagles, hawks and owls, and super speedy working gundogs putting their training into action as they navigate jumps and obstacles to retrieve a ball in a high-speed race against the clock.

On Saturday and Sunday, some of the top teams from across the country will present historic cavalry techniques as their fast-paced ponies gallop around in the Prince Philip Cup Pony Club Mounted Games. And the Pony Racing Authority will return to the show this year with Equicizer machines, giving children the chance to experience the thrill of race riding and the chance to race against one another on mechanical horses.

Other attractions include the Bees and Honey Tent, where there will be children’s competitions to create bee sculptures and collages, the new Smallholders’ Village, with a giant wormery and advice on growing your own veg and keeping small animals, and the Adventure Avenue with a range of family activities, including cooking workshops and fencing and laser target shooting run by members of the Pentathlon GB team.

Advance day tickets to the Royal Three Counties Show cost £23 for adults and children under 16 are free. To book tickets, visit www.royalthreecounties.co.uk or call 01684 584 924.