Snape: Pub pigs hogging all the prizes

Teresa Cook with her pig, Winnie. (Image: Archant)

The Crown Inn, in Snape, has amassed a horde of trophies for parading its pigs at county shows and competitions across the country.

The enterprise has grown and grown over the last 10 years at the pub, which also rears its own goats, lambs, turkeys, ducks, geese and chickens. But by far the most successful champ is two-year-old Gloucester Old Spot Winterwood Princess 213 - or Winnie.

Teresa Cook acquired five acres when she and husband Garry took over at the Crown in December 2007. Her sister had been breeding sheep and pigs in Orford for country markets, and the couple decided to move some onto their new land. Mrs Cook said: “We decided to get pedigree Gloucesters and Garry bought me a present to go on a pig showing course three years ago. I loved it, so I decided to do some shows of my own.”

Winnie has since gone on to scoop a trotter-full of honours, including reserve breed champion for the South of England, Northern champion, and breed champion at the Norfolk Show, the Yorkshire Show, and at the Royal Three Counties Show, in Malvern, triumphing over 70 other Gloucester Old Spots. Even one of her young boars won at the Suffolk Show.

“She loves it,” said Mrs Cook, who is ably assisted in preparing for the show by 17-year-old nephew Andrew Brenchley. “Our sows usually carry on breeding until they’re about eight. Nearly all then go into our sausages - but I think Winnie might escape it.”

All the pub’s meat comes from animals on its own five acres and from another 45 acres rented in Laxfield and 10 acres in Orford.

“It’s hard work,” said Mrs Cook. “It takes two hours every morning and an hour in the afternoon, making sure they’re fed and watered. We also take to slaughter - usually on a Monday.”

Sponsored by Framlingham’s Charnwood Milling, the pub is next hoping to claim victory with Winnie at the Wayland Show, in Watton.