Smiles all round as Shropshire firms win big

For once again they have triumphed against dairy producers from across the world at this year's International Cheese Awards.

Organisers have hailed this year's event another record-breaker, with more than 4,600 cheeses from 31 countries at the contest in Nantwich.

And Whitchurch-based Belton Cheese was the most successful Shropshire company after winning 16 gold, 15 silver and 14 bronze awards.

Meanwhile, the Shropshire Cheese Company, which is based near Oswestry, won a bronze award in the export award – cheese that is produced in the UK that is exported – class, while Market Drayton-based Muller Wiseman Dairies won a bronze award in the pack of salted butter class.

Held yesterday in Dorfold Park, the morning saw judges take to the marquee and test the cheeses before results were announced in the afternoon.

The show forms part of the Nantwich Show – the main day of which is being held today when the public will then be invited to try and buy the award-winning cheeses.

Lancashire-based Greenfields Dairy won the 2015 Supreme Champion award.

Adrian Lawrence, show secretary, said: "It has been a fantastic year. We have had an all-time record number of entries. A total of 31 countries have entered and there has been some brilliant produce. We have been breaking all our own records, with a staggering 4,611 entries – a 3.5 per cent increase on last year's all-time high – and 274 exhibitors, which is 13.5 per cent up on last year.

"We have concluded the trophy judging and are really impressed. The quality of the produce has been outstanding."

Speaking at the start of the show, National Farmers' Union dairy board chairman Rob Harrison said: "We have more than 700 varieties of cheese produced on this tiny island of ours – that's more than France – and many of them are displayed in Nantwich.

"Shoppers have a huge selection of dairy products to choose from and I'd urge them to try something new this summer.

"More than 98 per cent of British households purchase cheese, so I want to ensure that as much of this as possible is British."

The Nantwich Show itself looks set to smash all previous records, with organisers "delighted" that trade space for today's event has sold out, with more than 450 businesses, groups and organisations signed up.

The event will also see live chefs cooking up a variety of dishes, including James Martin, Will Holland, Jonathan Harrison and Sean Wilson.

All the chefs will be doing cookery demonstrations in the Le Gruyere Cookery Theatre.

Organisers say the cattle section of the show is always a wonderful spectacle, and this year there are dedicated classes for two additional breeds, The Red Poll and Longhorn.

For further information about the Nantwich Show, log on to www.nantwichshow.co.uk