The Princess Royal to visit the Royal Smithfield Christmas Fair

HRH the Princess Royal is making a return visit to the forthcoming Royal Smithfield Christmas Fair at the Bath and West Showground on 5th December, the first day of the two day show.

The Christmas Fair, organised by the Royal Bath and West of England Society and the Royal Smithfield Club, is sponsored by Merial and is in its second year at the top West Country venue. The event promises to be an important date in the calendar for all livestock farmers and the busy two days include The National Festival of Meat Beef Ribs Competition, the National Sausage Competition and beef and sheep livestock competitions culminating in the prestigious Merial Overall Royal Smithfield Supreme Championship.

The Princess Royal attended the Royal Smithfield Christmas Fair when it first moved out of London from Earl’s Court to Somerset in 2006. Organisers were delighted when she extended her schedule to stay on at the Show. As the Princess departed a presentation of one of the Beef Rib exhibits was made. Show Manager Alan Lyons commented "we are looking forward to welcoming The Princess Royal back to the Royal Smithfield Christmas Fair. She takes great interest in farming, the livestock and the farmers and we are very pleased that she is taking the time to come down to the event again this year".

There will be seminars sponsored by Farmers Weekly and EBLEX on both days on practical issues of the day, with speakers from all parts of the industry and the Show has attracted a wide range of trade stands specialising in services and products for the livestock farmer making a visit to the Show more essential than ever.

Demonstrations are back again this year, with cattle and sheep conformation and grading conducted by EBLEX, the British Pig Association’s display of breeds and their uses and cooking with British meat in the Christmas Fair Kitchen.