Reaseheath College celebrated victory at the Royal Cheshire Show this week when its action packed stand won the award for Best Rural Trade Stand.
The Nantwich college’s range of educative and entertaining displays impressed the judging panel, who agreed that the interactive stand showcased the best aspects of modern agriculture and rural life and was widely appealing to visitors.
Top crowd pullers included demonstrations by Reaseheath’s master butcher Gary Evans, quirky celebrity baker Howard Middleton and a talk by tv personality Rosemary Shrager.
Visitors could also ride a mechanical horse, demonstrate their football skills, meet animals from Reaseheath zoo, try countryside and construction activities, create floral button holes, test their tractor driving skills on a simulator and have a go at cake decorating. There were also opportunities to drive a digger, practice tree climbing, milk a model cow, meet calves, create a business brand and learn about bees and plastic free products. Reaseheath’s Forest School also attracted many younger visitors.
Lecturers from University Centre Reaseheath ran a science challenge and expert staff were on hand to discuss degrees, diplomas and apprenticeships
Elsewhere on the showground the college’s agriculture students were busy in the cattle ring, showing beef animals for Chris Wardle of Sandbach Charolais and returning with a fistful of rosettes in the breed and novice handler classes. They also took part in and helped to marshall the grand parade.
Equine students provided the arena party and helped to marshal some of the horse classes while Reaseheath’s horticulture students designed a show garden for the members’ area.
Stand organiser Stephanie Owen said: “It was a great honour to be awarded the title of Best Rural Trade Stand at such a prestigious show. I’d like to pay tribute to the phenomenal effort and team work put in by Reaseheath staff and students, all of whom contributed to the success of the college stand at a time when the college is extremely busy.
“The Royal Cheshire Show gives us a fantastic opportunity to support the food and farming community, to showcase the talents of our students and to demonstrate the range of vocational courses we offer. The show organisers made a huge effort to overcome difficult weather conditions to make the show safe and enjoyable for visitors and exhibitors, and I’d like to thank them for their support.”
