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Richard Maddocks, continues a family tradition as the President of Newport Show

New President Continues Family Tradition

Author | 06 October 2016

The new President of one of Shropshire’s leading one-day shows has taken up the reins, continuing a family tradition of holding the prestigious role.

Richard Maddocks follows in the footsteps of his father David and grandfather Wilfred as the President of the Newport Show.

As well as being the third generation of his family to hold the office, he has a proud record of attending the annual show every year of his life.

Richard, 43, runs the family’s 1,200-acre mixed arable and dairy farm at Great Chatwell that was established by his grandfather Wilfred with just one cow and one acre of land in the 1930s.

After growing up on the family farm, Richard studied at Walford Agricultural College and was named the AMC Student of the Year after completing his National Certificate in Agriculture and Farm Management.

The 108th Newport Show, with Richard at the helm, will take place on July 8 next year at Chetwynd Deer Park. It will be a family affair for the new President - his wife Jo is the show’s Trophies Secretary and daughters Pip and Jess already show cattle at the event. Brother Philip is in charge of the entertainment sub committee.

The 2017 show will be the 25th to be held at Chetwynd Deer Park and Richard’s father was one of the key figures who were instrumental in the purchase of the deer park for the Newport and District Agricultural Society, the organisation behind the show.

Richard said he had been honoured to take on the job of President: “I have helped out at the show as long as I can remember from setting up hurdles for races as a boy to organising livestock classes and being a steward in the main ring.

“My family has shown cattle there since 1949 and I’ve won some of the top prizes over the years. I am very proud of the show and believe it is a great event for both the agricultural and local community.

“My aim during my year in office is to spread the word, particularly around Newport and the immediate area, about what a diverse event we have to offer.

“There genuinely is something for everyone, regardless of your involvement or knowledge of agriculture, but the show underlines the fundamental role that agriculture plays in the food that ends up on our plates.

“I spend my year in office encouraging more local families to come along and see what a fabulous event is on their doorstep.”

The show has grown from its original agricultural brief although there are still 140 livestock and sheep classes that attract farmers from across Shropshire and Staffordshire.

There is a horse show and a dog show hosting Crufts qualifying classes alongside a Festival of Food, family entertainment, vintage vehicle and machinery displays, live music, trade stands, antique stalls, schools marquee, handicraft and horticulture competitions, and fairground rides.

Earlybird tickets will go on sale at www.newportshow.co.uk later this year. To keep up to date with show news, like the Newport Show Facebook page or follow it on Twitter @NewportShow for updates throughout the year.

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