The English Winter Fair has announced an exciting new partnership with the Royal Smithfield Club which will see two new competitions launched at November’s event.
Fair organisers say the association with such a renowned name in livestock will be a fantastic addition to this year’s show. Beef and sheep farmers from across the UK are invited to enter the new Smithfield competitions which will be held in the showground’s dedicated carcass hall. A beef ribs category will include two classes; one for a steer or heifer sired by native breed, plus a continental class. Judges will also be looking for the best saddle of lamb from any breed.
Richard Williams, chief executive of the Birmingham and Staffordshire Agricultural Society, which organises the Fair, said he was delighted to have the Club involved. “It’s a huge honour to be associated with the Club and the new competitions will no doubt draw in even more high quality entries,” he said. “It augments our offering in the refrigerated exhibition hall which is already one of our unique strengths and demonstrates fantastic standards of production from UK farmers.”
William Bedell, chairman of the Royal Smithfield Club, said: “Having a presence at the English Winter Fair provides the Club with an ideal opportunity to show the very highest standard of meat that is produced by farmers from all over the UK. “We are very pleased to be working in partnership and look forward to extending our involvement in an event that draws so many professional producers from across our industry. “We will be presenting Royal Smithfield Club perpetual trophies to the winners of both competitions for this year and in the years to come.”
Mr Williams also announced that this year’s Fair will include a new RABI Charity Sheep Class. “There will be native and continental classes with exhibitors invited to bring an additional lamb to the show to support RABI by donating between 50% and 100% of the auction proceeds to the charity,” he said.
There will be no entry fee or prize money for the class but overall and reserve champions will be awarded prize cards and rosettes. The event takes place on 18 and 19 November at the Staffordshire Showground.
For more information and entries go to www.staffscountyshowground.co.uk/english-winter-fair
