AUGUST 20, 2010: Growing your own is proving more popular than ever judging by the record number of people attending the Norfolk Smallholders Show.
Around 2,200 people came through the gates at Sheringham Park on August 1 to learn about smallholding, meet traditional breed livestock and poultry and stock up on delicious fresh produce from local smallholders and producers. Organisers of the event also reported a record number of show visitors signing up to join the Norfolk Smallholders Training Group (NSTG). Fifty-seven families became new members of the group, which organises courses and visits to equip smallholders with the information and skills to grow fruit and vegetables and rear livestock. Show manager Roy Keasley said: “This show goes from strength to strength. It shows the tremendous interest people have in how their food is produced and prepared and their increasing desire to grow at least some of their own.†Highlights of the show included the biggest marrow competition. This year’s winner was Jane Parkin, from South Norfolk, whose mammoth entry weighed in at over 4kg. The poultry exhibition proved particularly popular with a steady stream of visitors all day and sometimes even queues to get in to admire the 26 breeds on display. Show-goers also enjoyed watching Ian Walden’s racing ferrets and a fun dog show, while members of the West Norfolk Beekeepers Association were delighted to be presented with the award for best stand. A ‘Smallholders’ Question Time’ gave visitors to the show the opportunity to put questions to a panel of experts. Subjects included pigs, poultry, cattle and sheep, fruit and vegetables and animal health. The Norfolk Smallholders Training Group is at www.nstg.org.uk
