WEST Oxfordshire farmers are among the cream of the crop in the annual competitions run by the Moreton-in-Marsh Show.

Alan and Anne Smith and their son Richard, who run Kingham Hill Farm, have won the best medium farm category, while their neighbour Greg Dancer, of Manor Farm in Cornwell, took the best crop of grass and best permanent pasture awards.

Barton Manor Farms, at Middle Barton, won the best commercial sheep flock contest for the second year running, and David Hunt, of Middle Brookend Farm, at Chastleton, was the reserve champion in the non-milling best winter wheat category.

This year's show in the Gloucestershire market town, just across the boundary from West Oxfordshire, takes place on Saturday.

The one-day agricultural, horse and country show is one of the largest of its kind in the UK, attracting an attendance of about 20,000 people.

The Smith family triumphed despite a change of category in the show's farm and crop contests, having won the best small farm title last year. They also took first place in the best one or two-year ley category.

Witney Gazette:

Greg Dancer

Both they and Mr Dancer are past winners of the show’s champion farm title.

The awards recognise farms within a 40-mile radius of Moreton-in-Marsh, with 35 farms in Oxfordshire, Glou-cestershire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire entering this year.

The show’s organisers are putting a special emphasis on the part young people play in the event this year.

Show secretary Sally Smith said: “The show society wants to involve children and young adults of all ages. With a new-look children’s area – packed with activities – young handlers’ classes in the livestock sections and Young Farmers’ stock judging in the livestock and horse sections, the society hopes to celebrate young people and their role.”

The livestock section features a pig show for the first time this year, with both commercial and traditional breeds entered, while the main arena will feature all-action displays by the Bolddog Lings motorcycle team, the Pony Club mounted games and a six-bar challenge for top showjumpers.

The gates open at 7.30am, with the showjumping competition starting at 8am.

Advance tickets are priced £13.50 for adults, £4.50 for children aged five to 15 and £35 for a family of two adults and three children.

Witney Gazette: THE SHOW MUST GO ON: A stunt rider from the Bolddog Lings daredevil motorbike team soars across a grey sky at Great Aycliffe Show last year

A member of the Bolddog Lings motorcycle display team in action

Prices rise to £17, £6.50 and £42 on the gate but discounted prices will be available for anyone showing rail tickets valid for travel to Moreton-in-Marsh on the day of the show.

Advance tickets are available online at the show's website or from Tayler & Fletcher estate agents in New Street, Chipping Norton, and the Countrywide stores in Burford Road, Witney, and Banbury Road, Chipping Norton.

  • For details of all the attractions at the event and to buy tickets online, see moretonshow.co.uk

Witney Gazette:

Selected Moreton-in-Marsh Show farm and crop competition results

CW Smith & Son, Kingham Hill Farm

  • Winner, best medium farm
  • Third place, champion farm
  • Winner, best one or two-year ley
  • Second place, winter oilseed rape, Kingham, Shipston & Campden sector
  • Third place, winter feed what, Kingham sector

Greg Dancer, Manor Farm, Cornwell

  • Winner, best crop of grass
  • Winner, best permanent pasture
  • Second place, best long-term ley
  • Second place, best one or 2-year ley
  • Winner, winter oilseed rape, Kingham, Shipston & Campden sector
  • Second place, best crop winter oilseed rape
  • Winner, winter barley, Kingham sector
  • Second place, spring barley, Kingham sector
  • Reserve champion, best class 1 milling wheat
  • Second place, winter feed wheat, Kingham sector

David Hunt, Middle Brookend Farm, Chastleton

  • Reserve champion, best winter wheat (non-milling)
  • Equal third place, winter barley
  • Winner, winter feed wheat, Kingham sector
  • Second place, winter barley, Kingham sector

Barton Abbey Farms, Middle Barton

  • Winner of the Nancibel Gregory Memorial Trophy for best commercial sheep flock