The 2011 Royal Bath & West Show was hailed as one of the best in recent years with 160,301 visitors through the gate - the second highest gate figure since 2004. The combination of glorious sunshine, excellent features both new and old and enhancements of popular sections created a superb atmosphere which was commented on by many.
This year's Show was opened by Professor Sir John Beddington, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government, who talked about the world food crisis and farming to very interested visitors who gathered around the Bandstand.
HRH The Countess of Wessex GCVO, President of the Royal Bath and West of England Society enjoyed three days at the Show and she visited many sections of the Show, including Farming for the Family, Power of the Past and joined the West Country PDO Lunch to present awards, she also visited many of the stands and also chaired a Supermarket Seminar for farmers.
Livestock numbers were excellent across the board, with the quality of entries exceptionally high. The overall Beef Champion Prize going to the impressive Red Devon Yeomandon Ferdinand.
In the equine section the Cuddy in Hand Championship went to Moortown Countryman produced by the Jordon family from Devon.
Tradestand exhibitors reported very positive sales throughout the show with some even running out of stock completely. Gold award winners for exhibitors went to Gerald David in the Food Halls, Volvo Cars, Imagineering for Feature Stand and Mark Dovecots.
The Main Ring attractions went down a storm with the White Helmets roaring around the Main Ring, and the Giant Sway Pole and Space Wheel wowing the crowd with something a little different. The Grand Parade of Livestock was a sight not to be missed with crowds flocking to watch the farmers parading the Best in Show animals.
On Friday in the Main Ring The Royal British Legion held the 90th Muster to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the RBL, and the release of poppies touched so many people in the crowds and was a superb spectacle.
Out on the avenues you certainly knew when Titan the Robot was around. The extraordinary two metre talking robot brought the crowds to a standstill and transfixed the children as he moved through the show, entertaining people and cooling them by spraying them with water!
The Supreme Champion Cheese in the National Cheese Awards went to Belton Cheese, with their Wensleydale Cheese, with Reserve Champion going to Adams Foods with West Country PDO Farmhouse Cheddar. A new Retailer class was introduced to the National Cheese Awards this year and the Champion prize went to Waitrose and Reserve Champion to Morrison PLC.
There were many other awards being presented at the Show including the Environmental Youth Award which went to Shaw Primary School from Wiltshire. The annual Royal Bath & West Society's Long Service Awards were awarded to five worthy recipients this year - Ken Hayter, Lester Lavington, Derek Sparks, Robert Taylor and Mary Mortimer who were all presented with their awards by HRH The Countess of Wessex GCVO.
The Show organizers would like to thank all the volunteers and stewards who help put together such a unique Show and to all the visitors who make the Show such a great success.
The Royal Bath & West Show 2012 will take place 30th May - 2nd June 2012.