World’s largest gathering of Shire horses returns to Staffordshire for third year

Photo courtesy of Carol Stevens.

The organisers of the world’s largest gathering of Shire horses have announced that the show will once again be staged in Staffordshire.

The 2018 National Shire Horse Show will be held at Staffordshire Showground from 16^th to 18^th March – and is expected to attract more than 250 pedigree Shire horses.

Organised by the Shire Horse Society, which will be celebrating its 140^th anniversary in 2018, the event is a great day out for fans of the magnificent gentle giants of the horse world.

Visitors can watch the iconic breed being put through its paces in-hand, ridden and in harness – with the chance to find out more about Shire horses and their role throughout history.

New for 2018 is the ridden quadrille – a choreographed ride to music which is often compared to an equestrian ballet.

“This will be the third year that we have held the National Shire Horse Show at Staffordshire Showground and we look forward to welcoming visitors and competitors to the event, which is regarded as the largest gathering of Shires anywhere in the world,” said Shire Horse Society secretary Victoria Clayton.

“The show has been held at a limited number of venues in England over its long history, and is believed to be one of the oldest, almost continuous, horse shows in the world, having been held for the first time at the Royal Agricultural Hall in Islington, London, in 1880, when the charity was named the English Cart Horse Society.

“Next year is a special one for us as a charity because it marks our 140^th anniversary, and we hope that hundreds of spectators will join us in Staffordshire to celebrate, along with our members who do such a great job of preserving this wonderful breed, which is still regarded as endangered and needs our continuing support.”

Trade stand opportunities are available for traders who would like to have stalls at the event, which attracts thousands of competitors and spectators over three days of competition. A range of sponsorship opportunities is also available.

The iconic Shire breed was in danger of dying out just a few decades ago, and even now fewer than 500 new foals are registered every year by the Shire Horse Society. The charity has been running a Save Our Shires campaign to raise awareness about these gentle giants and numbers have steadily increased, thanks to the dedication of a band of enthusiasts.

Tickets for the 2018 show have remained at 2017 prices and have just gone on sale via the Shire Horse Society’s website www.shire-horse.org.uk

Adult tickets are £10 in advance or £12 on the gate, while tickets for children aged five to 13 years are £8 in advance or £10 on the gate are £10. Children aged 14 years and over are charged at the adult price, while under fives enter free.

Gates open on Friday 16^th March at 8.30am and at 7am on Saturday 17^th and Sunday 18^th March.

For more details and ticket information about the show, visit http://www.shire-horse.org.uk or follow @saveourshires on Twitter or at https://www.facebook.com/shirehorsesociety/

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Visitors raring to attend the world’s largest gathering of Shire horses

Photo courtesy of Tracy Muir Photography www.tracymuirphotography.co.uk 

Ticket sales for the world’s largest gathering of Shire horses are booming as the event returns to Staffordshire for a second year.

A record number of advance tickets for the show at Staffordshire County Showground on 17^th to 19^th March have so far been sold, reports the Shire Horse Society, which organises the event.

Around 300 pedigree Shire horses from across Europe are expected to take part, being put through their paces in hand, in harness and during ridden classes.

Open to the public, the event is a colourful day out for all the family and the chance to support the campaign to save this magnificent breed of horse, which only a few decades ago was in danger of dying out and is still regarded as ‘at risk’.

Secretary of the Shire Horse Society Victoria Clayton said: “Shire horses have played a huge role in the history of this country, and our show, which is the world’s largest gathering of Shires, is the perfect opportunity to see them in action.

“Last month we sold more than twice as many advance tickets to our annual show as we did during the same month the previous year. We’re delighted to see such interest in the event, which is our flagship event of the year and the ideal chance for us to put the gentle giants of the horse world into the spotlight.”

The show, which has been held at a limited number of venues in England over its long history, is believed to be one of the oldest, almost continuous, horse shows in the world, having been held for the first time at the Royal Agricultural Hall in Islington, London, in 1880, when the charity was named the English Cart Horse Society.

It moved to Staffordshire County Showground in 2016, and returns there for three days of competition in March.

The event features stalls and children’s entertainment, as well as the all-important showing classes – the first qualifier of 2017 for the heavy horse classes of the prestigious Horse of the Year Show, which attracts the very best of the breed and is held in October at Birmingham’s NEC.

The Shire Horse Society campaigns to save the iconic Shire breed – a breed that was in danger of dying out just a few decades ago. Even now, fewer than 500 new foals are registered every year.

Tickets for the show are on sale via www.shire-horse.org.uk – discounted if bought in advance. Adult tickets on the gate are £12, or £10 online in advance, while tickets for children aged five to 13 years on the gate are £10, and £8 online in advance.

Children aged 14 years and over are charged at the adult price, while under fives enter free.

Gates open on Friday 17^th March at 8.30am and at 7am on Saturday 18^th and Sunday 19^th March.

For more details and ticket information about the show, visit www.shire-horse.org.uk or follow @saveourshires on Twitter or at www.facebook.com/shirehorsesociety

Haughton Honey makes a bee-line for Booths

Cheshire-based business Haughton Honey is celebrating securing its first premium major multiple retailer contract after signing a deal with Booths.

It means the high-quality honey brand will be available on the shelves of Booths outlets across the North West, including Hale Barns and Knutsford stores in Cheshire and at Media City in Salford.

The move marks a key step forward for the brand, which was launched in 2014, said founder Crispin Reeves.

“Booths, with almost 30 stores across Lancashire, Cumbria, Yorkshire, Cheshire and Greater Manchester, is the perfect outlet for Haughton Honey and complements the scores of independent delis, farm shops and retailers that currently stock our pure honey,” said Crispin, who is based at Haughton, near Tarporley.

“This deal is great news for the business, as we expand, and also good news for customers who now have more places where they can buy Haughton Honey.”

Haughton Honey is raw honey which comes straight from the hive, is cold extracted and never pasteurised which means that it retains all of the natural enzymes and proteins that make English honey so special. It is 100% natural and pure, and features traces of dandelion, chestnut, blackberry, clover and other wildflowers.

Haughton Honey is supplied by apiaries locally as well as from around England, all run by experienced bee-keepers, and now has more than 1,600 hives in the cooperative, stretching across the North West and the Midlands, including Cheshire, Staffordshire and Shropshire.

The Booths contract launched at the end of March 2016.

“It has always been our aim to supply Haughton Honey to top-end multiple retailers, such as Booths which has an enviable reputation for its fine food and drink, and we’re delighted that our honey is now on their shelves. It’s a ringing endorsement for us and for our honey,” added Crispin.

For more details, visit www.haughtonhoney.com

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR http://www.perfect10pr.co.uk 

History to be made at world’s largest gathering of Shire horses in Staffordshire in March

Courtesy of Jane Muntz-Torres

History will be made at this year’s Shire Horse Society National Show when, for the first time, British heavy horses will be able to qualify for a golden ticket to a ridden class at the prestigious Horse of the Year Show.

Riding heavy horses has become increasingly popular, and now HOYS is adding a British Ridden Heavy Horse championship to its event, which takes place at Birmingham’s NEC from Wednesday 5th to Sunday 9th October 2016.

The first ever qualifying round for the championship will be held at the Shire Horse Society’s National Show, which runs 18^th to 20^th March 2016 at the Staffordshire Showground.

Wendy Toomer-Harlow, a founder member of the British Ridden Heavy Horse Society and a council member of the Shire Horse Society, said: "The BRHHS have been in talks with Hoys for some time regarding a British Ridden Heavy Horse Championship and we are very grateful to Grandstand Media for agreeing to hosting this new HOYS ridden qualifier. 

“This championship will give heavy horse riders the opportunity to showcase our four magnificent indigenous British heavy horse breeds, the Shire, Clydesdale, Percheron and Suffolk to both a national and international audience and display to people just what these versatile heavy horse breeds are capable of under saddle alongside their established draught uses.

“The Shire Horse Society National Show will host the first ever Horse of the Year Show Ridden Heavy Horse qualifying round and in doing so the society will take its place in the history of ridden showing. This is a very exciting time for all those enthusiasts who are involved in the world of heavy horses and passionate about the furtherance and promotion of our British breeds of Shire, Clydesdale, Percherons and Suffolk going forward into the 21^st Century.”

The Shire Horse Society National Show is the world’s largest gathering of Shires, with around 200 due to be put through their paces - shown in-hand, ridden and in harness.

The show, which has been held at a limited number of venues in England over its long history, is believed to be one of the oldest, almost continuous, horse shows in the world, having been held for the first time at the Royal Agricultural Hall in Islington, London, in 1880, when the charity was named the English Cart Horse Society.

This year it returns with a new venue and a new format – running over three days instead of two and being held for the first time at the Staffordshire Showground, to cater for a growing interest in the event. The ridden classes, including the qualifying class for the HOYS championship, are being held on Friday 18^th March and will also feature dressage and concours d’elegance to highlight the grace and elegance of the gentle giants of the horse world.

Shires will be shown in all their glory on Saturday and Sunday in the in-hand and harness classes.

Thousands of visitors are expected to attend the show, which is the flagship event of the Shire Horse Society - the only charity dedicated to the protection, promotion and improvement of the Shire horse.

The iconic breed was in danger of dying out just a few decades ago, and even now fewer than 500 new foals are registered every year by the Shire Horse Society.

The charity has been running a Save Our Shires campaign to raise awareness about these gentle giants and numbers have steadily increased, thanks to the dedication of a band of enthusiasts.

Tickets for the show, which also includes stalls and exhibitor stands for the public to browse, are now on sale via the Shire Horse Society’s website www.shire-horse.org.uk Follow the charity on Facebook or Twitter - https://www.facebook.com/shirehorsesociety and @saveourshires

The event takes place from noon to 6pm on Friday 18^th March, from 8am to 6pm on Saturday 19^th March and from 8am to 4pm on Sunday 20^th March 2016.

Tickets cost £4 in advance and £5 on the gate for Friday 18^th March. Tickets in advance are £8 for adults and £6 for under 12s and seniors, and £12 for adults and £10 for under 12s and seniors on the gate, on Saturday 19^th and Sunday 20^th March.

Entry is free for Shire Horse Society members.

Press release issued by Nottingham based pr company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk  

New venue, new format for Shire Horse Society National Show 2016

Picture by James Bedford

The world’s largest gathering of Shire horses returns for 2016 with a new venue and a new format.

The Shire Horse Society’s National Show 2016 will be run over three days, instead of two, and will be staged at Staffordshire County Showground from 18^th to 20^th March.

Expected to attract around 200 horses from across Europe and visitors from around the globe, the show has moved its ridden classes to the Friday afternoon due to the growing popularity of this section of the event.

The Friday classes will feature dressage and concours d’elegance to highlight the grace and elegance of the gentle giants of the horse world. These will be the opening classes of the show, which is the flagship event of the year for the Shire Horse Society - the only charity dedicated to the protection, promotion and improvement of the Shire horse.

The show is also moving to a new home this year – Bingley Hall in the centre of Staffordshire County Showground - to cater for increasing visitor numbers to the show, who are keen to support the iconic breed which a few decades ago was in danger of dying out.

Shire Horse Society secretary David Ralley-Davies said: “Our National Show has been steadily gaining in popularity again recently and we wanted to ensure that everyone who wants to go gets the chance to attend, hence the decision to move to a bigger and more central venue for 2016.

“Bingley Hall will also provide additional facilities for exhibitors and their horses, such as indoor stabling for the majority of horses being shown. We are looking forward to welcoming many new visitors, as well as our loyal followers and our members, to the showground.”

The Shire Horse Society, which is based at Rockingham Castle on the Leicestershire/Northamptonshire border, has signed a five-year deal to stage its National Show at Bingley Hall – starting in 2016.

The show, which has been held at a limited number of venues in England over its long history, is believed to be one of the oldest, almost continuous, horse shows in the world, having been held for the first time at the Royal Agricultural Hall in Islington, London, in 1880, when the charity was named the English Cart Horse Society.

The first qualifier of 2016 for the Horse of the Year Show, the event features three days of competition and classes, with horses shown in-hand, ridden and in harness. It will also include stalls and exhibitor stands for the public to browse.

Tickets are now on sale via the Shire Horse Society’s website www.shire-horse.org.uk Follow the charity on Facebook or Twitter - https://www.facebook.com/shirehorsesocietyhttps://www.facebook.com/shirehorsesociety and @saveourshires

The event takes place from noon to 6pm on Friday 18^th March, from 8am to 6pm on Saturday 19^th March and from 8am to 4pm on Sunday 20^th March 2016.

Tickets cost £4 in advance and £5 on the gate for Friday 18^th March. Tickets in advance are £8 for adults and £6 for under 12s and seniors, and £12 for adults and £10 for under 12s and seniors on the gate, on Saturday 19^th and Sunday 20^th March.

Entry is free for Shire Horse Society members.

Press release issued by Nottingham based pr company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk 

J Tomlinson lands ground-breaking solar power role

Construction, maintenance and energy efficiency expert J Tomlinson has been appointed as part of a pioneering community solar investment project.

Chase Community Solar, a community benefit society in Staffordshire, is believed to be the first scheme in the UK aiming to put solar panels on the roofs of council houses funded by a community share offer.

The project aims to raise at least £400,000 to install solar panels on up to 400 council-owned bungalows in Cannock Chase, Staffordshire.

Energy efficiency experts at J Tomlinson have been selected to fit the panels, which are designed to help council tenants cut their energy bills through free electricity generated by the solar photovoltaic panels.

The integrated building solutions company, which is based in Beeston, Nottingham and has a network of regional offices including a presence in Burton-on-Trent, has considerable expertise in the field of PV panels, having fitted more than 40,000 panels over the past four years on a range of buildings including schools, offices, social housing, sheltered housing and private homes.  

Chief executive of J Tomlinson, Mark Davis, said: “Cannock Chase is the second most deprived area in Staffordshire after Stoke-on-Trent, with high levels of fuel poverty. Council tenants benefiting from the solar panels can expect to save up to £250 a year on their energy bills.

“As a company that offers energy efficient solutions as well as energy generation technologies, J Tomlinson is very pleased to be a part of the team involved in this pioneering community solar investment project, which is the first of its kind in the country.”

The firm currently works in the area for Stafford Borough Council and housing associations Midland Heart, Trent & Dove Housing, Bromford Housing and Accord Housing Association on servicing, maintenance and repair contracts.

The company has previously installed photovoltaic panels for Trent & Dove Housing on their head office in Burton-on-Trent, and is involved in gas servicing, maintenance and repairs for the group.

Investors in Chase Community Solar, which is supported by Cannock Chase Council, are being offered a forecast annual return of 7% for the 20-year lifetime of the scheme, with a minimum investment of just £100. Tax relief of 30% under the Enterprise Investment Scheme is also expected to be available. Returns are generated by the government’s Feed-in Tariff subsidy, and any excess funds will be used to build up a local community benefit fund. 

Mike Kinghan, chair of Chase Community Solar, said: “We believe this is the first community energy project in the UK focusing on council house tenants. If it’s successful it will blaze the way for further community energy projects with councils and other social housing providers. There are many more social housing roofs across the UK and there is no reason why every suitable roof should not host solar PV.” 

The next launch night for the scheme takes place in Lichfield on Tuesday November 25^th in the Lichfield Room, Wade Street Church (Frog Lane entrance), WS13 6HL, at 7.30pm. 

J Tomlinson, which is a privately owned company founded in the 1950s, has a substantial heritage and wealth of experience in delivering integrated building solutions tailored to both public and private sector clients.

Visit www.jtomlinson.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Shire Horse Show in Staffordshire

Up to 100 Shire horses will be taking part in the Midland Shire Foal Show being held in Staffordshire later this month – and the public are being invited along to find out more about the historic breed. 

The event is run every year by the Midland Shire Foal Society, which was founded in 1959. Initially the show attracted entries from across Staffordshire and Derbyshire, but today it appeals to Shire horse owners from around the country, and horses and foals are expected from as far away as Devon, Cornwall, Yorkshire and Norfolk. 

Taking place on Saturday 20^th September at Field House Equestrian Centre, Marchington, near Uttoxeter, the event also encourages the next generation of Shire horse showmen and women. It hosts the final of the national Young Handler of the Year Competition, and the 20 young people under the age of 18 taking part have been qualifying over the past year for the chance to win the title. 

As well as the opportunity to see Shire horses being shown, there is also an auction of Shire horse harnesses and memorabilia, which is being run by Derby auctioneers Derby Market Auctions and takes place at 10am. 

“It’s very much an enthusiasts show but if you like Shire horses there’s a lot to see,” said society chairman Jim Yates, who breeds award-winning Shire horses at his farm near Duffield in Derbyshire. “Last year marked the 55^th time the show has been held, and it’s a key date on the Shire horse showing calendar. It’s a way to promote and preserve this majestic breed of horse, and we would welcome anyone who is interested in finding out more about Shire horses.” 

The event, which costs £5 admission, begins at 9am and culminates with a horse sale at 1pm.

For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/midlandshirefoal?fref=ts

Press release issued by Louise Duffield at Nottingham PR agency Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Luke Evans Bakery raises more than £200 for Teenage Cancer Trust as part of National Craft Bakers’ Week

Derbyshire baker Luke Evans Bakery has raised more than £200 for the Teenage Cancer Trust after taking part in National Craft Bakers’ Week.

The bakery visited Riddings School and encouraged pupils to get creative with cupcakes following a demonstration and hands-on session.

The company also staged a cupcake decorating workshop at its premises in Greenhill Lane, Riddings, and ran a raffle.

The bakery, which supplies bread and cakes across Derbyshire, as well as parts of Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire, has supported National Craft Bakers’ Week regularly.

Now in its fifth year, the campaign is organised by The National Association of Master Bakers and The Scottish Association of Master Bakers and supported by the baking industry.

“We were pleased to get involved in National Craft Bakers’ Week, which highlights and promotes craft bakers in local communities, and delighted to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust,” said Helen Yates, operations director at Luke Evans Bakery, which was founded in 1804.

“I’d like to thank all our customers and everyone at Riddings School who supported our fund-raising efforts.”

Luke Evans cake decorator Sharon Dance, pictured, ran the demonstrations, supported by Charlotte Dennis, who is also part of the Luke Evans Bakery team.

Luke Evans Bakery supplies around 300 trade and wholesale customers, including shops, delis, schools and universities, as well as selling direct from its shop in Riddings, near Alfreton.

For more information about Luke Evans Bakery visit www.lukeevans.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Familiar face returns to Sherwood Truck & Van Ltd

Commercial vehicle group Sherwood Truck & Van Ltd has appointed Jeremy Hulme as new business development manager (sales & after sales executive) at the company’s Stoke branch.

The move marks a return for Jeremy, who previously worked at Sherwood Truck & Van Ltd for a decade until leaving in 2007 to widen his industry knowledge and experience with Aquila Trucks.

Jeremy worked in a number of roles previously at Sherwood including after sales manager and service manager.

He has rejoined as new business development manager (sales & after sales executive), looking after Stoke and the surrounding regions of Staffordshire.

Born and bred in the area, 44-year-old Jeremy is a truck man through and through, and highly respected by operators throughout the county.

“This industry is all about delivering a service, offering the highest levels of support to practical people with a job to do,” he said. “Truck and van operators alike, Sherwood have the highest reputation for exactly that - that’s why I’m back, and I’m delighted to be so.”

Sherwood Truck & Van is based at Blackwell, near Alfreton, Derbyshire, and as well as the branch at Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, also has branches at Lenton, Nottingham, and Highfield Lane, Sheffield.

“We’re delighted to welcome Jeremy Hulme back to the Sherwood fold at Stoke,” said Helen Waterfall, managing director of Sherwood Truck & Van Ltd. “His experience is extensive and it is great to have him as part of the team once again.”

Sherwood Truck & Van is a leading supplier of new and used commercial vehicles, established in 1978. The company also maintains, services and repairs commercial vehicles across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire and most of Cheshire.

It is now best known as a dealership for Iveco trucks and vans – the second largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles in Europe. The firm is also an Isuzu Truck dealer at Sheffield - providing vehicle sales, parts sales and vehicle repairs and servicing.

Sherwood prides itself on its service pedigree with a stock holding of more than 15,000 lines, a fully equipped accident repair centre and 24-hour roadside support.

http://www.sherwoodtruckandvan.com/

http://www.perfect10pr.co.uk/