NFU North West communications adviser Carl Hudspith said: “Four years ago, volunteers were sparse and enthusiasm waning for this marquee. There was a point when scrapping the marquee was being seriously mooted.
"Thankfully, under the leadership of our chairman Phil Smallwood, we've managed to recruit new helpers from our membership in Cheshire who have brought fresh ideas and an infectious camaraderie."
Check out our Flickr gallery for photos and videos of the inspiring educational displays the Cheshire NFU PR Forum provided for visitors:
"NFU Cheshire county adviser Helen Wainwright has spent her entire life as part of the county’s farming community and her ability to cajole her extensive list of friends and acquaintances to lend a hand in the marquee was also invaluable," he added.
"For the first time in our history we've been awarded a trophy for the best trade stand on the entire showground as well as the trophy for the best marquee in the rural life area of the showground and I couldn’t be happier.”
High profile visitors to the stand included the new Tatton MP Esther McVey, The Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire David Briggs and NFU Director General Terry Jones and family.
NFU Cheshire county adviser Helen Wainwright added: “Watching people wanting to know about farming was mesmerising and it was not just school children getting involved. It was folk of all ages who had a genuine interest in how their food is produced by Cheshire farmers. Two years into the county adviser role, I am immensely proud of the entire team.”
Special recognition goes to NFU Cheshire deputy county chairman Richard Blackburn and his family who worked with E & S.R Shaw of Red Beech Farm in Rushton, Tarporley to provide a dig your own potatoes display – an attraction which won a special award in its own right for best new addition to the show. Kids were encouraged to take a spade and dig up their own potatoes to take home with them, along with leaflets and recipe books promoting the versatility and health benefits of eating potatoes.
NFU Cheshire deputy county chairman Richard Blackburn said: “We got through a quarter of a tonne of potatoes, 700 take away bags all with recipe booklets. The potatoes and potato plants were dug up on the morning of the show by NFU member Mr Shaw who wanted everything to look its best. Going that extra mile showed in the finished product.”