During the first weekend in September, the Cotswolds hosts the annual Moreton-in-Marsh Agricultural and Horse Show. With his first guest post on our blog, here to tell us all about it is Rob Slatter. As well as being one of Tom’s cricket team-mates, Rob is also the manager and franchise owner of the Stow-on-the-Wold branch of outdoorwear shop Rohan, which kindly sponsors Go Cotswolds’ excellent uniform clothing.
One man (Rob) and his dog (Huddy) © Robert Slatter, used with permission. All Rights Reserved.
The Moreton-in-Marsh Show has been held on the Batsford Estate every year since 1949. It was established thanks to three historic organisations: the Cotswold Agricultural Society, The Moreton Shire Horse Society and the Moreton-in-Marsh and District Agricultural Society (together now the Moreton-in-March Show Society), with the aim of promoting the pillars of Cotswolds life: agriculture, farming and local crafts.
The Moreton Show is a brilliant family day out with lots to see and do. There’s a Grand Arena staging live action shows such as horse and hound performances, showjumping demonstrations, livestock contests, marching bands, stunt acts, dancers and more.
As a dog-lover, my highlight was the border collie demonstration showcasing the skill and agility of these dogs as they herded a group of six geese around a marked-out course. It didn’t quite all go to plan though – two geese flew off in the direction of Snowshill and didn’t return! The chase-the-rabbit competition for terriers was also good fun, despite being delayed because the dogs got stuck in the hutches!
My 15-month old son particularly enjoyed the demonstration by the Moreton Fire Brigade, who let children sit in the fire engines – not the adults though, sadly!
No country show would be complete without some fresh, local food, so I was delighted by the extensive range of food stalls offering their wares. The Cotswold Cheese Company had a super selection of mature Cotswolds cheeses, as well as a good choice of other rare and wonderful cheeses. Ragley Hall Estates, based in Alcester near Stratford-upon-Avon, also provided nourishment with beef burgers the size of house bricks and other game and rare meats – anyone for beaver pie?
Aside from the food area, the Moreton-in-Marsh Show has over 350 trade stands, so there’s plenty to look at and spend your money on. You can buy handmade crafts, homewares, soft furnishings, rural and outdoor clothing – even a brand new combine harvester if you need one! I loved the fantastic shop where you could buy tweed accessories for dogs – do you like my dog Huddy’s new hat? It’s genius!
Go Cotswolds customers can receive 10% off all purchases at Rohan Stow-on-the-Wold while visiting on a tour – you’ll need a voucher so please ask Tom for details!
Rob also mentioned The Cotswolds Cheese Company – their main flagship store is in Moreton-in-Marsh, but they have a smaller, second shop in Chipping Campden. Go Cotswolds customers can receive 5% off purchases here on presentation of a Go Cotswolds map.