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Email to a friendThe Final Results for 2011 have been announced and the winners are as follows:-
Farm Championship
1st: Mr Robin Smith, H W Smith & Son, The Vineyards, Ledbury
Judge's comments - "The farm consists of 1000 acres growing turnips, herbage and wheat seed. The attention to detail with the crops was second to none. Pig muck is imported onto the farm and some land is let for outdoor pigs. Cattle are bought in and fattened for a local butcher."
Class 1 - Small Farms
1st: Mr S J Middle, S J & L E Middle, Mussel End Farm, Sandhurst
Judge's comments - "A very interesting and well run farm. Simon Middle's farming and diversified interest provided the winning entry. "
Class 2 - Large Farms
1st: Mr Robin Smith, H W Smith & Son, The Vineyards, Ledbury
Judge's comments - " one could not help being impressed by this immaculate operation. Attention to detail in crop management and very interesting rotations. The livestock looked excellent and marketed very well locally, very impressive diversifications: a very worthy winner."
There were also Classes for Livestock, Arable, Forage and Conservation
The Gloucestershire Root Fruit and Grain Society which is very much alive today, had an exciting start. Back in 1863 two farmers came to blows in Gloucester Market, each claiming to grow better crops than the other. A peacemaker suggested that specimens be brought to Gloucester where independent judges would pronounce. The event attracted crowds of interested farmers and from it the society was born. In the early years annual shows were held at the Corn Exchange, but during the Second World War farmers could not take their produce to Gloucester so the judges went to the farms, receiving special allocations of petrol in the interests of food producing.
Judging on the farms enables a far wider range for competitions. Livestock is included. Interest in the society grew and competitions increases, though these have changed with the times as fruit has disappeared from schedules. Each year entries come over from all over the country, and the classes are categorised into championship areas, i.e. livestock arable, forage and farm. Then the points are added up to create an overall winner for the premier award. This is the most sought after award, and the battle commences.
Gloucestershire Root, Fruit & Grain Society
c/o Bruton Knowles,
Bisley House, Green Farm Business Park, Bristol Road, Gloucester GL2 4LY
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