Cheshire: Setting the standards for others to follow, By David Kay

Cheshire Show, 21 June 2012

Cheshire Show opened its gates to thousands of visitors on a bright and sunny morning with many attractions for people to see.

Whilst many of these attractions are featured around the main ring, crowds throughout the day visited the best staged poultry section that I have witnessed in over 50 years in the fancy.

The staging was fantastic – Union Jack Streamers surrounding the marquee, flowers by the hundred discreetly arranged, Championship Pens all labeled and prominently staged and four decks displaying cups for every best of breed. All superbly organised by John Tickle and his team of stewards who were easily spotted in their blue jerseys. It had taken a full week to erect and in terms of public reactions, it could not be beaten. Our shows all survive through the dedication and hard work of many enthusiastic fanciers for which we are all so grateful and appreciative, but Cheshire is way out on its own.

So what about a few details: An entry of nearly 800 birds and nearly 700 plates of eggs. That is not a misprint – nearly 700 plates of eggs!

The Supreme Championship was won by Tinson and Hidden with a top class White Silkie female exhibited in wonderful show condition whilst Best Eggs was awarded to Mandy Bush from over the border in Yorkshire.