Pig Princess knocks spots off show rivals
Teresa Cook with her Gloucester Old Spot, Supreme Champion at the Suffolk Show
A pig reared at Snape became the county’s first winner of a supreme interbreed award at the Suffolk Show on Thursday.
Millfields Princess, a pedigree Gloucester Old Spot belonging to Teresa Cook, scooped the Withersfield Perpetual Challenge Cup to be crowned top show pig.
Teresa, who is landlady at the Crown Inn at Snape, said she was “shocked and very pleased” when her gilt – a female pig who yet to have her first litter – took the title. Princess’s pet name is Beauty.
“We breed Gloucester Old Spots and Large Whites. This is my seventh year at the show. It’s me and I have some help from my sister (Maria Brenchley). We have Suffolk Sheep as well,” said Teresa, who is originally from Orford and runs the pub alongside husband and landlord, Garry, who is also its chef.
“I do livestock and he grows vegetables,” she added. “We have had pigs at the Crown for the last nine years but in the family for the past 16 years.”
The couple lost everything in 2013 when a tidal surge swept through the pub. They had to move the animals away temporarily and were closed for three months, but they have since recovered.
This year has been a mixed one for Teresa after she suffered a hand injury when her vehicle ended up on its roof in a road traffic accident.
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“I have had a funny year but this has topped it,” she said of the trophy.
“I have had two reserve championships but never a supreme. It’s lovely to win at the Suffolk Show.
“I’m very proud and shocked - she’s a lovely pig.”
Guy Kiddy, who is chairman of the British Pig Association (BPA) and a fellow competitor at the event, said the Kiddy family had donated the cup to the Suffolk Show in 2000 but this was the first Suffolk win.
“I think it’s excellent news. It’s also the first time Teresa has ever won it, so it’s great for her as well,” he added.
The win means that Teresa’s pig qualifies for the BPA Pig of the Year competition which takes place at the Great Yorkshire Show, to be held in July.
