Cheshire poultry show sees a doubling in entries
Last year John Tickle was gently cajoled into taking over the Cheshire Poultry Show, which seemed to be languishing in the doldrums. Everyone expected a few changes, but no one imagined the huge transformation that would take place.
John set it on course to becoming one of the country’s most important and successful summer shows, doubling the number of entries.
Victoria Roberts, the nationally renowned poultry vet, had her work cut out with twice as many eggs.
Summer agricultural shows aren’t known for attracting huge egg entries, but Victoria eventually gave the overall winner’s cup to JF Lockwood with three duck eggs.
This egg trophy was one of 39 new cups which were on offer at this year’s event.
The Pimlott family scored a remarkable series of successes. Karen and William won the Faverolle male class with a memorable Black, while the overall Faverolle championship went to their outstanding Cuckoo female.
However, their son, Ben, really excelled himself by winning both the soft and hard feather junior titles with a Croad Langshan and a Modern Game. Ben’s successes are a continuation of his amazing winter season when he pulled off an even more remarkable double by winning both the junior championships at the National Federation and the Scottish National.
Tinsen and Hidden continued their litany of recent successes by winning the rare breeds with an aristocratic Yokohama, while Hicks Waterfowl surprised no one by winning the waterfowl championship with a Muscovy.
Hicks Waterfowl provides a strong backbone of waterfowl entries in all the counties which straddle the English and Welsh border.
The championship judge, Brian Anderton, eventually awarded the overall championship to Paul Heath from The Potteries. Paul’s wonderful Dutch cockerels have been at the top of their league for a very long time and this worthy Supreme Champion was a pleasure to behold.
John Tickle has also enjoyed some remarkable wins with his poultry this year. At the Cheshire he “limited his entries,” but still won the trio classes with his splendid White Wyandottes. Another of his classic White Wyandottes went on to win the soft feather sections and, ultimately, the coveted title of Reserve Supreme Champion.
This is a regional show of the Poultry Club and it seems likely that Cheshire’s status could well move up to a Poultry Club championship show.
- To see all Mike Corrigan’s pictures from the show, visit our Poultry Winners picture gallery.