STRONG SHOWING RETURN TO 2021 ENGLISH WINTER FAIR
· Shorthorn Team wins Duke of Norfolk Trophy
· EW Coates & Michael Wynne secure Beef Ribs Championship
· M& A Hadfield take Saddle of Lamb Champion & Reserve
· Joseph Morris takes Reserve Rib award
· RABI Single Lamb trophy to Madders & Johnson
· Farmers Fresh auction raises £220 for RABI
After a two-year absence, the English Winter Fair returned in full force on the weekend of 20-21 November 2021 at the Staffordshire County Showground backed by a number of competitions supported by the Royal Smithfield Club.
Shorthorn team winning the Duke of Norfolk pictured with Club Chair Chris Riddle & judge Richard Rettie
In the much-anticipated Duke of Norfolk Trophy, for the best group of three purebred animals, a large crowd on the Sunday witnessed six breeds go head-to-head with the Beef Shorthorns winning and the Limousins in reserve. Judge Richard Rettie praised the winning trio as ‘a well-balanced, very well complemented team.’
Champion Beef Rib EW Coates & Michael Wynne
The Club’s Beef Ribs & Saddle of Lamb competitions, with over 20 entries, was presided over by judges Ben Woods & Matt Dodds of Pickstock, Telford.
M&A Hadfield’s Saddle of Lamb winner
The Champion Beef Rib came from EW Coates Butchers and producer Michael Wynne, Hall Farm, Snitterton, Matlock from their June 2020-born Limousin-cross heifer with a carcase weight of 347kg grading -U4L. The judges described their winner as having ‘a good layer of fat cover, nice marbling, good depth of loin, nice fat colour and very well presented.’ The Reserve Beef Ribs was another 340kg Limousin-cross this time from Joseph Morris Butchers, South Kilworth, Leics with a ‘well marbled and nicely fleshed’ entry. Third place went to Perrys of Eccleshall with a 346kg Lim-sired steer out of a Welsh Black dam. The winning entries made £190 & £180 respectively in Bagshaws’ post-show auction.
Judges Ben Woods & Matt Dodds, Livestock Buyers at Pickstock, Telford
The Perpetual Lamb Saddle Trophy was awarded to M & A Hadfield & Sons, Derbys who also took the reserve title with 21kg and 23kg lambs respectively with third place going to Perrys of Eccleshall. The winning entry had ‘a good level of fleshing, well-formed eye muscle and very consistent chops’ according to the judges. The saddle of lamb entries from Farmers Fresh raised an excellent £220 at auction to benefit the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI).
L-R Richard Saunders Club Secretary, Ellie Wynne, Nick Coates, Michael Wynne
Chris Riddle with RABI lamb winner Mary Madders
Continuing the theme, the Royal Smithfield RABI Single Butchers Lamb trophy went to Madders & Johnson, Hopton, Staffs with their Beltex-cross entry. Presenting the award to Mary Madders was Chris Riddle, RSC Chairman and Katie Jones, RABI Regional Manager.
Richard Saunders with Matthew Morris of Joseph Morris Butchers
L-R Theo Clarke (MP for Stafford), Richard Lawrence (Deputy President Staffs & Birmingham Agricultural Society), Victoria Prentis (Farming Minister), Richard Saunders (Secretary Royal Smithfield Club)
Duke of Norfolk being judged by Richard Rettie
Reserve Rib from Joseph Morris
M&A Hadfield’s Reserve Lamb
The Royal Smithfield Club extends its grateful thanks to all exhibitors, Stewards John Bradshaw & Anthony Key, and all the team at Staffs County Showground