Get a taste of farming at the Bath & West Show

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to bottle-feed a calf, milk a dairy cow, or watch a chick hatching out of an egg? For most people these opportunities are extremely rare – but at the Royal Bath & West Show visitors from the very young to the extra mature can get
hands-on in the Farming for the Family area.

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This year’s theme is “From Pasture to Plate”, and includes farm animals and machinery, butchery and cooking demonstrations, and cheese tasting. Visitors can play with lambs or watch sheep shearing; learn the difference between beef and dairy animals; and get technical with butchery demonstrations by Lloyd Tucker, BBC’s Young Butcher of the Year in 2010.

Completing the story will be cookery demonstrations by top class chefs, including Russell Brown from the Michelin-starred Sienna Restaurant in Dorchester, Brett Sutton from The White Post in Rimpton, and Gary Kilminster from the School of Hospitality and Food at Bournemouth & Poole College.

“People are increasingly interested in food and where it comes from, which is wonderful news for the health of our children and of our countryside,” says Alan Lyons, organiser of the Bath & West Show. “Following the horsemeat scandal and success of television cooking shows, people are buying more local produce and gaining a better understanding of farmers’ roles in the countryside around them.”

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Staffed by real-life farmer volunteers, the Farming for the Family area provides a unique opportunity for visitors of any age to ask questions about farming systems – and how to best enjoy the food they produce. Even children can have a go at cooking, making their very own Scotch eggs in a special kids’ cooking area.

“As a rural charity, one of the Royal Bath & West Society’s roles is educating the general public about farming and rural affairs,” says Mr Lyons. “Farming for the Family is a fantastic way to do this in a fun and vibrant way, which is why it’s always so popular with show-goers.”

Exhibits:
· Sheep and shearing.
· Cattle, milking, milk tasting and calf-feeding.
· Pigs.
· Chicken ‘N’ Egg.
· Machinery.
· Cheese tasting and creation of the Ultimate Somerset Cheese Toastie.
· Butchery demonstrations.
· Cooking demonstrations.
· Children’s cookery.

The Royal Bath & West Show will be held from 28-31 May. Tickets are available online at www.bathandwest.com or by calling 01749 822200.

About the Royal Bath & West of England Society
The Society was founded in 1777 in Bath by a group of philanthropists led by Edmund Rack. We are a registered charity organisation (Registered Charity Number 1039397). The Society was formed with the aims of encouraging agriculture, arts, manufacture and commerce.

Our charitable activities provide:
· Agriculture, veterinary, educational and art scholarships
· Technical events and Seminars
· Practical farming advice and conferences
· Countryside Education
· Diversification advice for farmers
· Education for children
· A market place for countryside products
· Plus all the events run by the Society and the Bath & West Trading Company
As the Society approaches its 236th year it continues to deliver a wonderful mix of established traditional exhibits through to the latest energy technology and contemporary entertainment.

The entertainment and features around the 242-acre site ensure enjoyment for every member of the family and include attractions that are spectacular to watch, educational, inspirational, “hands on” or just plain fun.

For more information about the show or showground visit: www.bathandwest.com