Supporting rural life across Cheshire East

Cheshire East Council will again be supporting rural life across the borough at two of the largest agricultural events and urging residents and visitors to attend.

The Royal Cheshire County Show is a two-day event, which this year is also celebrating 180 years of the Cheshire Agricultural Society, held on Tuesday and Wednesday (19 and 20 June). This is to be followed by the Nantwich Show and International Cheese Awards on 25 July.

The Royal Cheshire County Show will see and hear pupils from 15 primary and secondary schools from across Cheshire East perform at the music bowl to thousands of visitors on the Wednesday.

As a principal partner of the show, this year’s event will include a range of branded Cheshire East Council banners spread across the Cheshire East Rural Life Area to highlight its ongoing commitment to supporting rural life and associated local economy across the borough.

During the last 12 months, the council has implemented an improvements initiative which has included a £2.4m leadership programme. This has supported more than 60 rural businesses and colleges, including Nantwich’s Reaseheath College, through the closely linked Local Development Order programme.

In Cheshire East the rural economy represents 32 per cent of the borough’s £3.6 billion economy and provides work for more than 65,000 people.

Councillor Liz Wardlaw, Cheshire East Council deputy leader, said: “It’s important we are backing these magnificent rural events. During the year, we have been working closely with local businesses to support them in a variety of ways. We are very fortunate in Cheshire East to cover 450 square miles of beautiful countryside across the borough –   this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase what we have to offer.

“We are keen to promote Cheshire East as a visitor destination hotspot so that people can see the area in its full glory, as well as the good ongoing work. Our villages have been highlighted and recognised for Britain in Bloom awards as well as best kept villages. These events really help to encourage local people and visitors to spend more time and money in our beautiful borough.”

Each year, 16 million people visit Cheshire East, which last year generated an income of more than £895m.

Visitors planning a journey to The Royal Cheshire County Show will benefit from a free shuttle bus service to and from the showground, which has been kindly organised by the council. The service will run to and from Knutsford and Hartford railway stations.

The events will be held in Tabley, near Knutsford, and the Nantwich Show and International Cheese Awards, held at Dorfold Park.

In addition, the Nantwich Show and International Cheese Awards will be open to the public on Wednesday, 25 July, where they will be able to see winning cheeses from more than 130 countries. Councillor Janet Clowes, portfolio holder for rural affairs will also be awarding the trophy for Champion Farmhouse Cheshire Cheese.

For further details about the shows please go to: royalcheshireshow.org or nantwichshow.co.uk