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Royal Norfolk Show verdict: better than ever!




The Royal Norfolk Show has come back better than ever – that was the verdict of organisers, exhibitors and visitors as the curtain came down at the end of the two days.

The weather was on their side, exhibitors turned out in big numbers, and it was estimated that visitor numbers had hit the magic 90,000 target.

Show managing director, Mark Nicholas, went as far as saying the show, after two years away because of the pandemic, was “the best in a generation.”

Long Service Awards to Sandringham Estate staff (from left) Alan Melton, Darren Gallacher, Alan Goodship, Keith Banham, Anthony Hardingham Picture Paul Marsh MLNF-22PM06240
Long Service Awards to Sandringham Estate staff (from left) Alan Melton, Darren Gallacher, Alan Goodship, Keith Banham, Anthony Hardingham Picture Paul Marsh MLNF-22PM06240

And he announced next year’s dates - Wednesday June 28 and Thursday June 29.

After Wednesday’s visit by the Princess Royal, Thursday was the day when the show welcomed more VIP guests.

It was time to honour nearly 30 loyal agricultural workers who between them had chalked up 1,100 years of service to the farming industry.

The Royal Norfolk Show Norwich on Thursday June 30th 2022..Long Service Awards to Peter Cottrell (left) and Michael Cotton from Raynham Farm Company MLNF-22PM06238
The Royal Norfolk Show Norwich on Thursday June 30th 2022..Long Service Awards to Peter Cottrell (left) and Michael Cotton from Raynham Farm Company MLNF-22PM06238

And, fittingly in the Platinum Jubilee year, there were five awards for staff on The Queen’s estate at Sandringham, presented by the show president, The Marquess of Cholmondely.

The Sandringham recipients were: Alan Melton, country park foreman (40 years), Darren Gallacher, tractor driver (40 years), Alan Goodship, kennels man (42 years), Keith Banham, farm manager (43 years) and Anthony Hardingham, tractor driver (44 years). From the Raynham Estate were senior agricultural operators Peter Cottrell (43 years) and Michael Cotton (43 years); and Stephen Minns for 44 years service with Proctor Brothers (Long Sutton) Ltd at Lighthouse Farm,Sutton Bridge.

One award that had delayed because of the pandemic was the 2020 Timothy Coleman Prize for outstanding contribution to farming and the countryside. It went to Jake Fiennes, director of conservation at the Holkham Estate.

There was plenty for visitors to see again on the second day of the show.

Church Farm Stow Bardolph Pig Racing in the Countryside Ring at the show. MLNF-22PM06245
Church Farm Stow Bardolph Pig Racing in the Countryside Ring at the show. MLNF-22PM06245

West Norfolk was again well represented in the livestock classes - rare breed pigs from Marshland swept the board in their section.

And there was more pig action in the countryside area with Church Farm, Stow Bardolph’s racing piglets cheered on by punters in the Grand Ham National.

Another highlight was the sight of more than 1000 schoolchildren from across the county, adults and bands in the main arena singing the national anthem and other commonwealth songs in a Norfolk tribute to The Queen and her jubilee.

Heavy horses impressed in the main ring.MLNF-22PM06251
Heavy horses impressed in the main ring.MLNF-22PM06251

In fact, The Queen had sent them a message before their performance to say thank you and wishing them well.



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