THE ROYAL Three Counties Show is one of the highlights of the year. The show brings tens of thousands of visitors to Malvern and the three-day event brings around £10 million into the local economy. It is a great way to celebrate farming and the rural way of life.
I was also pleased to be invited to watch the presentation of medals to people who have worked in the sector for 30, 40 or even more than 50 years. The aim of the show this year was to promote farming as a career and the medal presentation was proof that agricultural workers often enjoy satisfying jobs for life.
The show is also a great reminder of the bounty that our countryside produces across the county. Apples and hops are cultivated to produce cider and beer which is sold around the world. Local asparagus farmers have had great crops this year and the annual asparagus festival has become another great tourist attraction. Our beef cattle are the envy of the world and I recently learned that an oak cultivated in Worcestershire was used to build the world famous Globe theatre in London.
At every Royal Three Counties Show I am told by the National Farmers’ Union how important it is that we back our local farmers and ensure that we value our prime agricultural land. As demand for produce increases from countries like China, it will become much more important that we are able to grow and eat our own local produce.
You can do your bit too. Buying local produce is an easy way of showing your support for local farmers and enjoying the results of their hard work. This weekend, when you are buying your meat for barbecues and vegetables to make salads, why not visit a local farm shop and buy their local produce? I am sure it will taste better and will be great for you, for the farmers and our local economy.
