Recognition for top turkeys

A stag turkey won Suffolk producers Mick and Charlotte Binder the championship at the Anglian Turkey Association’s annual show and ball at Stoke-by-Nayland – now a unique event featuring traditionally show-plucked turkeys.

While other regional turkey shows no longer survive, the ATA event continues to flourish with some 80 entries from 17 producers at an event attended by almost 200 members and guests.

The Binders, who farm at Rumburgh, Halesworth, Suffolk, were also runners-up in each of the classes for hen turkeys.

The runner-up for the championship was Ian Wylie of Newmarket, Suffolk, who collected three more trophies for class winning exhibits.

The turkeys were judged by Gerald and Jane Haigh, who produced Christmas turkeys for 40 years at White Roding, Dunmow, and who praised the overall standard.

The Goodchild trophy for exceptional services to the traditional farm fresh sector was presented to ATA chairman Philip Regan by the president, Derek Kelly.