The Cheshire County Show is supporting the Rare Breed Survival Trust (RBST), which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, by giving the public the chance to see a wide range of rare livestock breeds at the Tabley Showground on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 18 and 19.
“The protection of the UK’s native rare breeds relies on the support of the public and it is fantastic that the Cheshire County Show is helping to raise the profile of the RBST and the great work it does across the country,” said Adam Henson.
Adam is a passionate supporter of protecting native rare breed livestock and set up Cotswold Farm Park, the first rare breed centre open to the public. His father Joe was also the very first chair of the RBST.
Many of Britain’s most endangered breeds from Leicester Longwool sheep, to Large Black pigs and Clydesdale horses, some of which have less than 500 adult breeding females left in the UK, will be on show to the public over both days of the Cheshire County Show.
“The Cheshire County Show has one of the largest rare breed sections of any county show in the country and we take great pride in our efforts to bring together breeders from across the country that do so much great work to keep these animals on the country’s map,” said Susan Blakeman, head of the rare breed section at the Cheshire County Show.
One of the rare breed exhibitors at the show is Tatton Park’s Home Farm, which is also an official national centre for rare breed conservation in the UK.
“The Cheshire County Show is our local county show and we see it is an invaluable opportunity to educate the public about rare breeds and engage people with these beautiful animals that are at real risk of disappearing forever without their help,” said Jayne Chapman, Manager of Home Farm.
The show has a longstanding history of support for the RBST and the organisation’s current president Peter Titley says it is one of the most important events on the calendar for those breeding rare breed livestock.
“The Cheshire County Show has been flying the RBST flag for many years and to help celebrate our 40th year it is a privilege to have the continuing support of one of the UK's premier events,” said Peter Titley.
“The show provides a shop-window for our work and enables us to reach many thousands of visitors with our conservation message. Britain's farming heritage is built on a marriage of livestock and landscapes and many of the breeds which shaped our countryside will be showcased at the Cheshire Show this year.”
To purchase show tickets or for more information visit www.cheshirecountyshow.org.uk.
You can also follow the Cheshire Show on Twitter at @cheshireshow or facebook.com/cheshirecountyshow
Photo caption: Jayne Chapman, Manager of Tatton Park’s Home Farm, with a Red Poll called Tatton Tulip, and Stephen Blakeman, from the Rare Breed Survival Trust Committee, with a Clydesdale called Arclid Finn McColl. Both animals will be on show at this year’s Cheshire County Show.
