The Gloucestershire Old Spot was the first pig to ever be given pedigree status
The Royal Three Counties Show has today been announced as title sponsor of a new sculpture trail for Gloucester.
In partnership with Marketing Gloucester, The Royal Three Counties Show Gloucestershire Old Spot Trail Starring âHenson Pigâ will be taking place from June to August 2017.
Expanding on the success of last yearâs Scrumpty Trail, there will be twenty sculptures in the city with an additional twenty around the county.
Ken Nottage, CEO of Three Counties, said: âWe are thrilled to be joining forces with Marketing Gloucester to bring to life the all-new Old Spot Trail.
âThe Henson family has a long-standing heritage with the Three Counties and weâre so pleased they will be lending their name to our own flagship pig.
A model of Henson the pig, which will be turned into 40 full-sized, decorated sculptures
âFormerly Joe Henson, and in more recent years his son Adam, have worked tirelessly to promote the vibrant world of agriculture and farming, championing rare breeds just like the Gloucestershire Old Spot.â
'Landmark event'
The partnership with the Royal Three Counties Show coincides with Gloucestershire assuming hosting duties for the event on 16 -18 June 2017 at the Showground in Malvern. Next year, the long-established agricultural event will be celebrating all that is great about Gloucestershire.
Ken added: âThe Royal Three Counties Show is a landmark event on the agricultural calendar and each June sees floods of families, farmers and furry and feathered friends flocking to immerse themselves in the 3-day spectacle.
âWeâre immensely proud of the showâs status and plans are firmly underway as Gloucestershire takes up the post as Host County for 2017.â
The Royal Three Counties Show Gloucestershire Old Spot Trail Starring âHenson Pigâ will also highlight to other ancient livestock breeds synonymous with Gloucestershire, the Gloucester Cattle and the Cotswold Lion sheep.
Gloucestershire Old Spot
The Gloucestershire Old Spot was the first pig to ever be given pedigree status.
Known as the âorchard pigâ, the Gloucestershire Old Spot originates from the Severn Valley pigâ where they foraged on wind fallen apples and whey â bi-products of two of the countyâs most famous exports, cider and cheese.
It was championed along with other rare breeds, by Joe Henson MBE, at Cotswold Farm Park when it opened in 1971.
His son, Adam, took over the running of the park in 1999 and is a presenter on the BBCâs Countryfile. It is in Joe and Adamâs honour that the pig is named âHensonâ.
The partnership between the Royal Three Counties Show and Marketing Gloucester will encourage a deeper understanding of Gloucestershireâs rural heritage, promoting cultural tourism around the county, whilst providing opportunities for the two organisations to raise money for their preferred charities.