ROYAL THREE COUNTIES SHOW

ADAM HENSON

Every Day

Catch Adam at the show…

• Demos in Food & Drink Theatre alongside local chefs
• Butcombe Brewery talk and tastings in Food & Drink Theatre
• Machinery demos in the Main Area with Ally Hunter Blair
• An Audience with Adam Henson, BBC Countryfile hosted by Ally Hunter-Blair
• In the Countryside Arena as part of the Shire Horse Show
• Giving a talk in the Farming Experience Area about sheep and the story of wool
• Book signings in Future of Farming Theatre

About Adam

Born into a farming family, Adam gained experience with animals and farming from an early age.  Adam achieved a HND in Agriculture at Seale-Hayne Agricultural College in Devon, where he met his business partner Duncan Andrews.

Having succeeded Bemborough Farm tenancy from his father, Adam now runs the 650-hectare estate with Duncan Andrews,  growing wheat, spring barley and oilseed rape, alongside a flock of 350 commercial ewes.  They also run the Cotswold Farm Park which pioneers rare breed conservation.  Set up in 1971 by Adam’s father, this award-winning tourist attraction now welcomes over 130,000 visitors a year.

Adam started in television in 2001 when he was chosen, from 3,500 applicants, to be a presenter for BBC Countryfile, and has since put his farming knowledge to good use, broadcasting on a wide range of programmes for both radio and TV.

Kaleb Cooper

Saturday

Catch Kaleb at the show…

• Live Q&A in the Future of Farming Theatre
• Demo in Food & Drink Theatre alongside local chef
• Machinery Demo in the Main Arena with Ally Hunter Blair
• Book signing in Future of Farming Theatre

About Kaleb

Kaleb Cooper is a farming contractor from Oxfordshire in the UK who plays a central advisory role to Jeremy Clarkson in all eight episodes of the Prime Video series Clarkson’s Farm.Born in July 1998 he grew up in the Cotswolds and has been working in farming since he was at school. He studied agriculture at Moreton Morrell College and likes collecting tractors and cars.

Since appearing on the colossal word-of-mouth hit, Clarkson’s Farm, his Instagram following has risen to over one million. He is currently filming a second series whilst continuing to run his successful farming contracting business.

As an entrepreneur he has a keen interest in business as well as farming and encouraging younger people to be motivated and achieve the unexpected.

Ally Hunter-Blair

Friday & Saturday

Catch Ally at the show…

• Machinery Demo in the Main Arena with Kaleb Cooper
• Machinery Demo in the Main Area with Adam Henson
• Q&A with Kaleb Cooper in the Future of Farming Theatre
• Q&A with Adam Henson in the Future of Farming Theatre
• Panel discussion on Regenerative Agriculture: Principles in Practice in Future of Farming Theatre

About Ally

Ally is a partner in the family farm, running across 500 acres of in Ross-On-Wye.

The farm is predominantly arable land owned by The Duchy of Cornwall. The arable rotation involves Wheat (Feed), Barley (Malting), Winter Oilseed Rape, Beans and Sugarbeet.

In addition, the family recently diversified into an equestrian business which is run by Ally’s wife as well as a glamping enterprise & some media work.

Ally & the farm have featured on a number of TV programmes the most recent being Discovery’s – “Born Mucky – Life on the Farm”

Phil Vickery MBE DL

Sunday

Catch Phil at the show…

• Demonstration with local Gloucestershire cheese producer in the Food & Drink Theatre
• Farming, Sport, Rugby and Resilience discussion with Adam Henson in Future of Farming Theatre

About Phil

Ex England rugby captain, Founder of Raging Bull, winner of Celebrity Masterchef and Gloucestershire farmer.

As World Cup winner and England captain, Phil Vickery has had a stellar rugby career. Besides his heavy involvement in the company, Phil is an ambassador for the Princes Countryside Fund and finds time to also represent national charities such as The Wooden Spoon & Pied Piper Appeal. Having recently completed a trek up the Atlas mountains with Kenny Logan to raise money and awareness for Doddie Weir’smotor neuron disease Foundation.

As well as having an invested interest in his first love, Rugby, and the outdoors, Phil’s passion is cooking. He proved his cooking credentials when he won Celebrity MasterChef and has his own rare breed of Cattle bred at Raging Bull HQ. Culminating in opening his own restaurant in 2019.  He is often seen on television hosting or cooking on multiple mid-morning food shows. Phil has also recently embarked on a speaking tour of the U.K. discussing his playing career and future endeavors.

Raging Bull is the nickname acquired by Phil Vickery in the early part of his rugby career.  Playing in an international game against Italy he was facing a renowned opposition prop known as ‘the Bull’. Sir Clive Woodward the England coach commented to the media that England had a bull of their own – a Raging Bull called Phil Vickery.  This name suited the young and talented prop who played with ferocity and courage and it remains his nickname to this day.

John Lewis-Stempel

Friday

Catch John at the show…

John Lewis-Stempel will feature in the Food & Drink Theatre on the Friday of the show to talk about his books; ‘The Sheep’s Tale’ and ‘La Vie – A year in rural France’, in which he describes learning to farm truffles and make his own wine, followed by a book signing.

About John

John Lewis-Stempel is a farmer and ‘Britain’s finest living nature writer’ (The Times). His books include the Sunday Times bestsellers Woodston, The Running Hare and The Wood. He is the only person to have won the Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing twice, with Meadowland and Where Poppies Blow. In 2016 he was named Magazine Columnist of the Year for his column in Country Life. He farms cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry. Traditionally.

MARK DIACONO

Theatre Host -Every Day

Catch Mark at the show…

Mark will be hosting the Food & Drink Theatre each day

About Mark

Mark is an award winning food and garden writer and photographer, lucky enough to spend most of his time growing, eating, writing and talking about food. His refreshing approach to growing and eating has done much to inspire a new generation to grow some of what they eat and to make the most of it in the kitchen. Mark has written and photographed 13 books, winning Food Book of the Year twice, and Garden Book of the Year twice. He was involved with River Cottage in the early days, appearing in the TV series and writing three of the River Cottage Handbook series. Mark also runs courses, hosts and demos at food and garden shows, and runs events at venues such as Limewood and The Pig Hotels.

SUKI PANTAL

Every Day

Catch Suki at the show…

Suki will be cooking in the Food & Drink Theatre each day.

About Suki

Suki Pantal, know as Suki’s curries and spices is about cookery demonstrations and cook-alongs via Zoom –  homemade and authentic Indian recipes from scratch by Malvern based Indian home cook Suki Pantal. Suki is an ardent lover of Indian food and spices and cooks everything from scratch, from a treasure trove of family recipes.

Born in India and raised in New Delhi, Suki, a daughter of senior Indian army officer, was afforded the opportunity to travel the length and breadth of India in her formative years before setting in Delhi. This only meant that she was able to surrounded herself with the love for Indian food, from her family kitchen to exposure to all those regional cuisines she enjoyed while travelling with the family. Presently, she is living in Great Malvern, Worcestershire for over 8 years with her British Asian husband.

In 2021, Suki was chosen as one of 18 participants that took part in – The Great Cookbook Challenge with Jamie Oliver – for Channel 4, aired on 31^st January 2022. She pitched her Indian cookbook idea to the judges and the publisher Penguin Michael Joseph in the episode aired on 7^th February. Her Butter chicken dish was highly appreciated and although she didn’t make it to another round in the contest, in her own words “I am highly encouraged to write my cookbook and importantly they loved my food!”

JB GILL

Sunday

Catch JB at the show…

• Future of Farming Theatre talk hosted by Adam Henson followed by book selling and signing.
• Book reading of Ace and the Animal Heroes followed by Meet and Greet and book selling and signing in the Farming Experience Children’s Area.
• Grand Parade of Livestock, taking part in the Presentation of the Overall of Supreme Champion of the show with Adam Henson – Main Arena.

About JB

JB Gill (36) rose to fame as a member of one of the UK’s biggest boybands – JLS. They dominated the charts for five years, boasting 5 number 1 singles, over 10 million record sales worldwide and a multitude of awards.

In 2012, JB set up a farm in the Kent countryside, where he lives with his wife, Chloe, eight-year-old son, Ace and four-year-old daughter, Chiara. Their smallholding successfully produces award winning KellyBronze turkeys and free-range Tamworth pork.

Now an established member of the farming community, JB has used his success within the entertainment industry to highlight his passion to educate children about the origins of their food and he is the lead presenter on CBeebies’ BAFTA-nominated television series, ‘Down On The Farm’ (created for children aged 0-6 years, teaching them about life on the farm and in the outdoors). JB’s brand new show ‘Cooking with The Gills’ sees JB and his family cook a wide range of delicious dishes to serve in their rural pop-up kitchen cafe. JB’s enthusiasm for farming life and knowledge of countryside issues has also secured him a presenter role on Channel 5’s ‘On The farm’ series and contributions to BBC’s ‘Countryfile’ and ‘Springwatch’.

JB has been part of the presenting team for BBC Songs of Praise since 2017.

In 2016, JB became the first ambassador for the Mayors’ Fund for London, an independent, social mobility charity, linked to the mayoral office, seeking to empower young Londoners from all walks of life in their journey onto London’s career ladder. JB has served as an ambassador for The British Red Cross, to raise awareness of the effects of climate change in some of the poorest regions in Zimbabwe, as well as an ambassador for the Princes Countryside Fund – founded by HM King Charles III – which seeks to support the farming community, assist family farms and help to address a vast range of countryside issues. He is also an ambassador for Mercy Ships, a faith-based international development organisation that deploys hospital ships, delivering vital, free healthcare to those in need around the world.

JB performed with his wife, Chloe on the ITV Primetime show ‘Dance, Dance, Dance’, for which they won ‘Best Performance’ at the National Reality TV Awards 2017. JB continues to present on ‘Springtime, Summer, Autumn and Winter On The Farm’ for Channel 5. JB also presents BBC1 8-part series ‘Walks Of Life’ and BBC South East’s ‘River Walks: The Stour’, a regional show in which he walked 50 miles from the River Stour’s origins in the Kent Downs, to Pegwell Bay.

Most recently, JB became a published author with Puffin Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, for the fabulous middle grade series ‘Ace and the Animal Heroes’. The first book in the series will be released on 27th April 2023 and is available to order on all online bookstores. The second book in the series is due April 2024.

Cooking with the Gills follows popular presenter and farmer JB Gill and wife Chloe and two children Ace and Chiara, as they enlist the help of young cooks from around the UK to help cook a wide range of delicious recipes to serve in their rural pop-up kitchen cafe. This series is currently showing weekly on Saturday and Sunday, on Channel 5, Milkshake

An avid sports fan, JB enjoys taking part in outdoor pursuits. He is a keen skier and snowboarder and is an advanced PADI Scuba-diver. In his spare time, JB likes to relax with his family and play an active role as a member of his local church.

Restaurant Journey

Friday & Sunday

Putting the fun into fine dining on Friday and Sunday, Cheltenham’s Restaurant Journey will take visitors on a weird and wonderful journey of innovation and chemistry between science and food.

The Pub Yields Podcast

Friday

The Pub Yields podcast will be hosting a live interview podcast on the Friday of the show in the Sheep Shearing Area with Lloyd Rees, a Welsh shearer who set a new British Shearing Record last year.

Touring Toolshed

Every Day

We’re excited to be hosting BBC2’s “Touring Toolshed” at the Royal Three Counties Show 16-18 June. This brand new series will be celebrating those with impressive and exciting hobbies and amazing personal projects. 

At the Toolshed, the hosts are looking to meet with people at the festival who:

Have a personal project on the go and have run into difficult and would like advice?

Would like to learn a new skills like signwriting, typography or funfair art in a FREE workshop?

Would like to improve their hobby by learning a new skills?

Have an impressive personal project that they have recently finished and would like to proudly share with the presenters?

If you’re interested please contact us via the details on the flyer ASAP.

Book Signings

Every Day

Brian Richardson, UK Head of Agriculture, Virgin Money

Friday - Future of Farming Theatre

Friday 11.30 – Sweating your assets: looking at making your farm work and alternative income streams

‘A lot of change in agriculture post Brexit and the resultant changes in support mechanisms alongside a focus on sustainability and net zero. Brian will talk through the importance of reviewing your own business, where do support payments fit in and what will income look like in the future. All this against a background of the net zero agenda and a focus on sustainable agriculture. What can farmers do to ensure their business can continue to be profitable and identify where the opportunities will fall to support that.’

Yorkshire born and bred, Brian Richardson, has spent his career in agri-business and, before joining Virgin Money was CE of the H&H Group based at Carlisle. He joined Virgin Money (formerly Yorkshire/Clydesdale Bank) as Head of Agriculture in 2018, to lead a specialist team in providing financial insight and support to primary producers and farming businesses and oversee the Banks significant lending in the sector. A Nuffield Scholar, he has a key focus on sustainability and natural capital as farmers adapt to the changes happening in UK Agriculture.

Anthony Pearce, Partner, Dudley Peverill

Friday - Future of Farming Theatre

Friday 11.30 – Sweating your assets: looking at making your farm work and alternative income streams

‘It has never been more important for UK farms to consider alternative and additional income streams. Ongoing policy changes, the Agricultural Transition Plan, increasing market volatility, and the cost of production, as well as environmental and social pressures, are all contributing factors to the uncertainty faced by UK farm businesses right now. The diversification of a farm business’s income streams is vital to ensure its ongoing resilience and prosperity. Where do you start? What will work? How do you plan for it, deliver it, and manage it? Listen to Antony Pearce from Dudley Peverill to find out about how to successfully sweat your assets.’

From arable farming to farm abattoir, beef farming to biogas, cereals to building conversions, Antony Pearce has experienced the ABCs of farm diversification. Qualifying as an accountant before returning to the family farm, he has built on his training, fusing farming and finance to reposition his family business. Antony is passionate about helping farming families make the leap into a diversified enterprise, which is why he established Dudley Peverill with Alex Moss.

Phil Bicknell, Director, CIEL (Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock)

Friday - Future of Farming Theatre

Friday 12.30 – Achieving Net Zero in Agriculture

The Committee on Climate Change has recommended a 64% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture and land-use sector to meet a 2050 net zero carbon target in the UK. This is an opportunity to tackle climate change while building systems that will help to deliver a sustainable farm and food future for our nation.

After joining the CIEL team in 2021 as Head of business development, Phil became director in April 2023. Continuing to steer CIEL’s strategic development to ensure the successful delivery of their vision to the front door to research and innovation for the livestock and aquaculture sectors. In addition to leading the team and operations at CIEL.

Growing up on a family livestock farm, Phil is an agricultural economics graduate from the University of Reading and his career includes a range of agri-food roles including heading the intelligence team at the AHDB, Chief Economist at the NFU and Specialising in agri-trade issues at the US Department of Agriculture.

Dr Emily Pope, Director of Knowledge Exchange, Trinity Global Farm Pioneers

Friday - Future of Farming Theatre

Friday 13.45 – Soil Health: why its relevant to you and what you can practically do

‘Speaking on the topic of soil health, Emily will explore how soil is at the heart of sustainability for the planet, production, profitability, and people. Soil health, and the benefits that come with improved soil functioning, is increasingly at the forefront of policy and farm business decisions. Emily will discuss some of the tools and technologies that are available to agriculture and land-based industries to support them in practical decision making, and the potential to access new markets and private finance.’

Dr Emily Pope grew up on a family sheep and arable farm in Worcestershire. She now works with other farms and farm businesses to try new approaches and learning from each other. Emily gained her PhD in agricultural traffic and tillage management from Harper Adams University. She has over 10-years’ experience in academia, knowledge transfer (KT), and knowledge exchange (KE) in agriculture.

Jon Dearsley, Rural Head of Natural Capital, Savills

Friday - Future of Farming Theatre

Friday 15.00 – Carbon capture and trading

‘Increasing soil carbon has huge potential to fight climate change and help the UK meet its net zero obligations. New markets are allowing farmers to monetise this ecosystem service, further diversifying their income streams.’

Jon is a Director and joint head of Head of Natural Capital. Jon has significant experience in practical land management, particularly environmental delivery on in hand and third-party land. Having created, implemented and managed a number of large scale environmental land management schemes, Jon evaluates alternative uses of land for private and institutional landowners.

Jon advises clients on biodiversity net gain (site feasibility and marketing), nutrient neutrality and rural carbon emissions and sequestration with particular interest in the medium and long term management requirements.

Megan Hesketh, Senior Analyst, AHDB

Friday - Future of Farming Theatre

Friday 15.00 – Carbon capture and trading

Megan is a Senior Analyst in the Market Specialist Arable team, producing key analysis pieces on grain and oilseed markets. Megan is also part of the Carbon Markets team, delivering information on emerging voluntary carbon markets.

She joined the AHDB in September 2020 as a Trainee Analyst, after completing her Agri-Business degree at Harper Adams University. Since then, she has progressed to her current position.

Megan grew up on a mixed family farm in Lancashire.

Tess Howe, Membership & Business Development Manager, TIAH (The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture)

Saturday - Future of Farming Theatre

Saturday 10.00 – Farming your career:  why it’s important to develop yourself and others, supporting business development and keeping talking when the conversations get hard

TIAH is to inform, inspire and coordinate the agricultural and horticultural industries approach to skills by embedding a culture of life long learning and Continuing Professional Development (CPD), driving greater uptake of training and promoting agriculture and horticulture as progressive, professional and exciting career choice.

Tess is TIAH’s Head of Membership and Partnerships. Tess has worked in the agriculture and horticulture industry for more than 20 years, across livestock, arable and horticulture. After graduating with a degree in Agriculture from the University of Newcastle, Tess’s first industry role was as a trainee manager with a large bacon processor. She then become a Technical Officer with the Humane Slaughter Association, improving the welfare of farmed animals during transport and at slaughter. Tess then took up the post of Skills Development Manager with BPEX (later to become AHDB Pork), developing and delivering of the national pork training strategy. In 2012, Tess progressed into the role of AHDB’s Senior Skills Manager before taking up her role with TIAH.