LAST weekend saw people from around the country come together to celebrate the best of the countryside in the annual Royal Three Counties Show.

Held at the Three Counties Showground in Worcestershire, with the rolling Malvern Hills providing the most scenic backdrop, the three day show has been a mainstay in the rural calendar for decades and this year was bigger and better than ever before.

The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery provided the grandest entertainment in the main arena, HRH the Princess Royal visited on Friday, Countryfile’s Adam Henson was the special guest and a whole host of locally sourced exhibitors, farmers and livestock from across the UK and Ireland were in attendance.

I visited the show on the Saturday. The weather was overcast and, unlike the Friday which was nearly a washout, the rain held off for a thoroughly enjoyable day.

As so much happens at a country show it’s important to get your bearings early on so after perusing the jam packed show programme and deciding what I wanted to see and when, I headed straight for the bustling Main Hall for a taste of the very best food and drink of the Three Counties.

There was everything from fresh meats and cheeses, baked goods and treats to the finest in locally produced cider, perrys and gins, all available in the style of a traditional farmers market.

Feeling refreshed I went to look at the prize winning livestock that had come from all corners of Britain and Ireland. Every breed of every farm animal was in attendance and I spoke to Eirlys and Stuart Jones from Haverfordwest who won First place in the Hampshire Down category for their Ewe, Ram and shearling lamb.

Stuart said: “We go to 20 shows altogether including the Highland Show next week and we love the Three Counties as a show, we think it’s really nice.

“It’s very friendly, accommodating and it has great welfare for the livestock. It’s a highlight for us, we love coming here and it’s already in the calendar for next year.”

With so much more to see I moved on, taking in vintage tractors, sheep shearing competitions, craft stalls and country brand stands, smallholdings and alternative livestock exhibitors and equine competitions.

The highlight of the day was by far the performance of the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery who put on a magnificent display that culminated with a thunderous salute.

Towards the end of the day, and narrated by knowledgeable commentators, the grand parade of livestock in the main arena was a brilliant opportunity to see all the competitors and rare breeds, without which the show would not happen.

It finished with the Cotswold’s very own Adam Henson saying, “Well done to the Three Counties Show for putting on such a great show.” And it really was a great show, a fantastic day out for all the family and I’m looking forward to visiting again next year.

  • For more information about what was on and what to expect next year, visit threecounties.co.uk.