Amateur bakers, crafters and gardeners are being invited to put their skills to the test in a bid to find the most talented makers in the whole of Nottinghamshire at this year’s county show. Organisers of the event, which takes place at the Newark Showground on May 13, are launching the definitive search for the best cakes, chutneys, artwork and homegrown veg from across the county as part of its relaunched Make, Bake and Grow section.
The county show dates back to the 19th century and brings together agricultural and rural community in Nottinghamshire as well in neighbouring counties for the one-day event, alongside thousands of families and visitors. While the attractions include entertainment in the main ring, music, food and drink stalls and trade stands, at the heart of the day is healthy competition between livestock owners, horse riders and dog owners, all of whom will descend on the showground to show off their animals and what they can do.
But no show is complete without the rural skills contest, including baking, preserve-making, crafts and growing prize fruit and vegetables, which has been rebranded to Make, Bake and Grow this year.
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There are 40 classes in total, such as children’s sections looking for the best decorated cup cakes, a collage of a butterfly and a tray of herbs, along with prize eggs, the best walnut and coffee cake, cherry scones and a plaited loaf. Gardeners, meanwhile, will be vying for a cash prize and a rosette for the county’s best asparagus, rhubarb, new potatoes and salad leaves.
Show organiser Elizabeth Halsall said that while baking, making and growing have always been popular, life under lockdown saw a huge increase in the popularity of all three, which is why they are hoping the relaunched Make, Bake and Grow section will attract a bumper crop of entries vying for glory.
She said: “The Make, Bake and Grow section is wonderful way to get more people involved in the county show, whether they have been dab hands for years or, like so many other people, took up their new hobby during lockdown. We know from previous years that there are some extremely talented bakers, gardeners and junior crafting fans out there so we have renamed this section to get as many of them as possible involved.
“We’ve all seen Bake Off on TV and understand how daunting it is to have somebody judging your creations, but it’s also huge fun and you’ll always learn something that will help you to improve your skills for the future.”
Elsewhere on the day, the Young Farmers Association will be holding its madcap lawnmower race, there will be an appearance from the Red Barrows wheelbarrow display team, as well as a dog show and a parade of vintage tractors, while rabbits are also making a return to the show.
The cost to enter a class is £2 for the first entry and £1 for the second, and advanced tickets for the show are also now on sale costing £11 - although all children aged 16 and under are free of charge. To find out more about how to enter the Make, Bake and Grow classes or to buy tickets visit nottinghamshirecountyshow.com
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