ALLOSTOCK farmer Tony Garnett is looking forward to showing a member of the royal family around the Cheshire Show next week.

Princess Anne will visit the Tabley Showground for the second day of the two-day event on Wednesday, June 19 to mark the show’s 175th anniversary.

It was thanks to Tony, chairman of the Cheshire Agricultural Society, that Princess Anne will be making an appearance at the annual show.

He attended the Royal Agriculture Society of the Commonwealth farming tour and conference in Zambia last September with his wife Pam, and it was then when he asked Princess Anne – who is president of the RASC – if she would take the role of president for the 2013 Cheshire Show.

Tony, who is also president of Cheshire National Farmers Union, told the Guardian it was a great honour to show the Princess Royal around the Tabley showground.

“It’s not something I would have expected to do, and as chairman you get to do a range of activities but that’s one of the nicer roles,” he said.

“It was by chance when we met her, and I managed to have a word with her about the 175th anniversary.

“She didn’t accept at the time, but we wrote in and she accepted our invitation.

“It is one of the oldest show societies in the country, and it’s nice to be able to carry it on and I hope everyone will enjoy it.”

Tony has received many farming accolades over the year, the latest being the Cheshire Farms Competition Farming Ambassador Trophy, which was awarded for the promotion of Cheshire agriculture.

This year’s show is expected to attract more than 80,000 visitors over the two days, and will again focus on the county’s rich agricultural heritage, with thousands of livestock, horses and dogs in competition.

In addition to the animals the public will get the chance to see rural past times including falconry, ferreting and a pack of hounds in the Countryside Experience Area.

The Roberts Speciality Food Live Theatre will see live cookery demonstrations from TV chefs Simon Rimmer, and Nigel Haworth, Masterchef: The Professionals winner Claire Lara, Brian Mellor and Sean Wilson.

The main attractions include a display by one of the world’s leading stunt motorcyclists, Matt Coulter AKA ‘The Kangaroo Kid’, and live music from the Scots Guard Association Pipe and Drum Band, who are returning by popular demand.

 

 

TICKET PRICES:
On the gate:
Adults £17, senior citizen £14, child (aged between five and 16) £8, concessions £14, family £35.
E-tickets:
Adult £15, senior citizen £12, child (five to 16) £7, concession £12, family £33.

 

BUS TIMES:
Tuesday, June 18 and Wednesday, June 19.
Knutsford Railway Station – Bus Station – Cheshire Showground
Route: Knutsford Railway Station, Adams Hill, Stanley Road, Bexton Road, Stanley Road, Northwich Road, Chester Road, Pickmere Lane to Cheshire showground.
Leaves Knutsford Railway Station: 8am, 8.40am, 9.20am, 10am and 10.40am.
Leaves Knutsford Bus Station: 8.05am, 8.45am, 9.25am, 10.05am and 10.45am.
Leaves Cheshire Showground Gate (Gate 7): 8.20am, 9am, 9.40am, 10.20am and 11am.
Leaves Cheshire Showground Gate (Gate 7): 3pm, 3.40pm, 4.20pm, 5pm, 5.40pm, 6.20pm and 7pm.
Leaves Knutsford Bus Station: 3.15pm, 3.55pm, 4.35pm, 5.15pm, 5.55pm, 6.35pm, 7.15pm.
Leaves Knutsford Railway Station: 3.20pm, 4pm, 4.40pm, 5.20pm, 6pm, 6.40pm, 7.20pm.