An agricultural show dating back to the early 19th century is set to feature on a cookery programme celebrating spicy ingredients.
Chefs Cyrus Todiwala and Tony Singh, who are on a mission to convince Britain to wake up to the versatility of spices and exotic ingredients, visited the Hadleigh Show on May 18 to meet local food producers, feed people some spiced-up strawberries, and watch the cattle classes.
The show will feature in BBC2’s The Incredible Spice Men, which will be aired in August as part of a series of five 30 minute programmes made by Alchemy TV.
“We are hoping that the editors are sufficiently impressed by our bowler-hatted stewards and show-preened Red Poll, that there will be sufficient footage to remind us all what a truly great day we all had,” said organisers of the show.
Organisers of the event have been delighted by the feedback they have received, and say online ticket sales and advance purchasing soared this year, accounting for 20% of overall sales.
The food hall featured almost a third more food producers showcasing the best of East Anglian produce in addition to 40 new trade stands and a number of new sponsors.
The art show, trialling the introduction of credit card facilities, had its busiest year to date with sales up over 16%.
Show director Clare Lock said: “Of course the show remains essentially a traditional agricultural show but what makes this area so great for farming is the strength and longevity of key families who have kept rural businesses and tradition for generations. This year I just wanted to recognise the role of families and to make sure we had plenty of attractions for the younger members of our community.”
The Hadleigh Show is the biggest fundraising event to be organised annually by the Hadleigh Farmers Agricultural Association (HFAA). Show proceeds go to local charities, and unusually this year, a decision was made prior to the event to make a £1000 donation to crisis-hit hill farmers through the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) for the hardship they continue to endure with the livestock losses from the bad weather.
Organisers thanked Mrs Robert Holden, who each year allows the show to be held on her land at Holbecks Park. Clare Lock now hands the baton to Paul Gillies to start preparations for next year’s show to be held on Saturday May 17.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here