Minsterley Show crowds turn out despite rain

Shropshire's oldest agricultural event has been hailed a success for the county's farming communities by organisers, despite torrential downpours.

Thousands of visitors flocked to Saturday's annual Minsterley Show at the showground in Lea Cross, near Shrewsbury. The 135th event featured an array of livestock and activities for all the family including a number of "firsts".

Jayne Manning, secretary of the organising committee, said the number of livestock entries was up on last year.

She said as it was still quite a hard time for farmers it was great that people had supported the show.

The previous event saw glorious sunshine but despite the mix of sunny spells and rain crowds still came along to see the agricultural and horticultural displays.

Bethany Onions, who was on the ticket booth, said: "We were really busy in the morning and people still came in in the afternoon.

"People don't seem to be fussed about the weather, they just make a joke about it."

Tim Dale, of Ford, who was at the event with his family, said: "We come to the show most years, it's a good day out for the family.

"It wasn't raining when we set off but it hasn't put us off at all."

A string of attractions wowed visitors, including Titan the Robot, the Pony Club Mounted Games, a parade of vintage tractors and a dog show.

The Royal Artillery Parachute Display Team, The Black Knights, dropped in to the main ring — a first for the show.

And in another first the organisers held a carnival float competition. Also making its debut at the show was a new logo following a competition at last year's show, which was won by Emma Lawrence.

Shropshire Young Farmers had a marquee and ran their own competitions.

The show also featured trade stalls, agricultural competitions, food, and drink

Jill and Mark Bagnell, of Worthen, also paid the show a visit.

Mrs Bagnell said: "We haven't been for quite a few years. The weather hasn't put us off. We've got friends here who have got some stands at the show so we've come to support them."

Geoff Price, of Montford Bridge, was at the show with his family who came prepared with macs and umbrellas.

He said: "We come most years. We don't let the rain bother us, we just put on our wellies and away we go."

A free shuttle bus was laid on by Minsterley Motors to connect Pontesbury, Minsterley, Hanwood and the showground.

Entries in the animal classes included horses, dairy and beef cattle, sheep, goats and poultry.

Results:

• The Ayrshire Cup awarded to the Champion Ayrshire: H.J. Tomlinson

• Minsterley Creameries Cup awarded to the Champion Ayrshire Heifer: H & H Jones

• The W & J Scaffolding Silver Challenge Cup awarded to the Champion Holstein Cow: T H Roberts & Sons

• The Noden Trophy awarded to the Champion Holstein Heifer: D.P.Manning & Sons

• The Venables Cup awarded to a Pair of Holstein Females Exhibitor Bred: T H Roberts & Sons

• Championship Award awarded to the Exhibitors of the Female Champion: T H Roberts & Sons

• The exhibitor bred female champion: T H Roberts & Sons

• The exhibitor bred Holstein with the best udder in show: D. P. Manning & Co

• Genus Points Award awarded to the exhibitor gaining the most point in the Holstein Classes: T H Roberts

• The Robert H. Ward Cup awarded to the Champion Jersey Cow in Milk: D.P. Manning & Co

• The Jersey Cup awarded to the Champion Jersey Heifer in Milk or in Calf: D.P. Manning & Co

• The Lowther Award awarded to the Best Jersey Cow or Heifer, the property of an exhibitor residing within a radius of 30 miles of the Showground: D.P. Manning & Co

• The Champion Jersey: D.P. Manning & Co

• The Hall, Wateridge & Owen Supreme Championship Award & Minsterley Show: T H Roberts & Sons

• The Hayford Silver Salver awarded to Inter-Breed Champion Cow: T H Roberts & Sons

• The Newnham Trophy Inter-Breed Champion Heifer: H & H Jones

• Millers Mutual Cup Champion Inter-Breed Pair: P & T Jeffries

• The Blyth & Davenport Cup awarded to The Champion British Blue: G Jones

• The Bibby Challenge Cup awarded to the Champion Limousin: Colin Lewis

• The Polemere Cup awarded to The Champion Hereford: R T Davies & Co

• The Kinworten Shield awarded to The Champion South Devon: JR & E Darlington, Upper Norton Lavender

• The Woodgreen Silver Salver awarded to The Best Exhibitor Bred South Devon: Richard Hartshorn

• The Minsterley Show Perpetual Salver: W H Sandford

• The Newby Cup awarded to The Champion Charolais: W R J Everall. Shraden Delight

• Any Other Registered Beef Breed Champion: J R Williams

• The Stan Jones Memorial Cup: E H Pennie

• The Rea Valley Tractors Cup: Nigel Pritchard

• The William Everall Cup awarded to The Champion Beef Beast: E H Pennie

• The David Nunn Interbreed Beef Championship Cup: Graham Jones

• The George Bason Cup awarded to The Champion Pen of Butchers Lambs: B L & J F Griffiths

• The E R Pugh Cup awarded to The Champion Suffolk Ram Lamb: J Pryce

• Suffolk Club Perpetual Shield awarded to the Champion Suffolk Exhibit: J Pryce

• Champion Male Exhibit: J Pryce

• Champion Female Exhibit: J Pryce

• The Oldacres Perpetual Challenge Cup awarded to The Champion Charollais Sheep: S & S Murray

• Champion Male Exhibit: S & S Murray

• Champion Female Exhibit: A Potter

• Perpetual Shield for the Champion Texel Exhibit: S Williams

• The G. Roberts Memorial Cup awarded to the best exhibit of the opposite gender to the Texel Champion: G Hardman

• The Eric Hamer Memorial Cup awarded to the exhibitor gaining the most points in the Texel Sheep Section: S Williams

• The Shirley Pritchard Memorial Cup awarded to the best group of three Texel Sheep, exhibitor bred: S Williams

• Champion Male Exhibit: G Hardman

• Champion Female Exhibit: S Williams

• Overall Champion Zwartble: Claymore Farm Partnership

• Overall Champion Exhibit In Cross Bred: R A George

• Champion Fleece: C Tibbet

• The D. Mervyn Jones Cup awarded to the Overall Champion in the Sheep Class: S Williams

• The Percy Blyth Cup awarded to the Overall Champion Breeding Ewe Exhibit: S Williams

• The Hall Wateridge & Owen Cup awarded to the Champion Ram: Jack Pryce

• The John Vance Perpetual Challenge Cup awarded to the Champion Ram Lamb: Allan Potter

• The Staffordshire Farmers Cup awarded to the Overall Champion Ewe Lamb Exhibit: Jack Pryce

• The R.D.Bonner Cup to be awarded for the most points in the Floral Art Section: Ruth Roberts

• The Pearl Dyas Trophy to be awarded for the best exhibit in the Floral Art Section: Ruth Roberts

• The West Shropshire Membership: Debbie Harris

• The Gillian Elizabeth Smart Salver presented for best overall exhibit in The Pot Plant section at The Minsterley Show: Mrs R Owen

• The Westley Cup for the best preserve: Mrs S Evans

• The Hardman Perpetual Challenge Cup for the best Cookery exhibit in the show: R Bromley

• The Brenda Williams Memorial Cup awarded to the best overall Apple Tart: Ann Milliken

• Shrewsbury Wine Circle Cup for the most points in the Wine Section: Wilfred Overton

• The Mr & Mrs D. Manning Cup for the most points in the Photographic Classes: Marrion Wade

• The Hodges Cup awarded to the Best Individual Cookery Item: Great Ness W.I

• The Pedley Cup awarded to the Best Individual Handicraft Item: Snailbeach W.I.

• The Norma Davies Cup awarded to the Best Overall Display: Great Ness W.I.

• Large Trade Stand: Stapeley Vets

• Small Trade Stand: Shropshire wood carving