THE director of the returning Royal Cheshire County Show is excited for it be back after they had to cancel last year’s show due to coronavirus.

The Show, organised by the Cheshire Agricultural Society, will be held on a Saturday for the first time on July 31, with entry restricted to both members and ticket holders only.

“It’s great to be back,” said director Rob Davenport.

“It’s about getting everyone in Cheshire back outdoors in the fresh air and let’s celebrate what’s good about the county.

“If we don’t do it now. Two years without a show takes some coming back, doesn’t it? It’s a traditional show, it’s probably not going to be like it was in the past but people will pay to watch paint dry at the moment I would have thought,” Rob joked.

Paul Hannam’s quad bike stunt show will return with the Cheshire farmers market, as well as competitions set be to held such as Heavy Horses, Pygmy Goats, Dairy Goats, Valais Blacknose Sheep, Dutch Spotted Sheep, Zwartbles Sheep, Jacob Sheep and Honey.

Multi-Michelin Star and 5/5 AA Rosette winning chef, Jean-Christophe Novelli will be demonstrating some dishes that you can recreate from your own home. Chefs Sean Wilson and Brian Mellor will also be in attendance.

For the kids, the educational sheep show will keep them entertained, where Susan the southdown sheep and her friends will be demonstrating all things breeds and wool.

Those that prefer the nostalgic aspect of the show can enjoy the vintage machinery attraction with displays of stationary engines, tractors, cars and working demonstrations of farm equipment, to gain an insight into the way farm machinery has evolved over the years.

The return of the show comes as the end of June welcomed the Royal Cheshire County Show’s dog and light horses competitions behind closed doors at the Showground which Rob explained the reasoning for.

“We’re usually in June and we couldn’t have done it in June. We’ve done the dogs and the horses because they’ve come under competitive remits,” he said.

Judge Patsy Hollings said: "It was a delight to be at The Show and judge quality exhibits in a friendly, efficiently ran environment.”

“Every aspect of care was taken by the committee which made for a relaxed atmosphere. It was lovely to be back 'in public' and I came away with my spirits lifted."

Across the three days, more than 1,800 competitors took part in 249 horse classes and more than 2,000 competitors across the 620 dog classes. Participants travelled from across the country to visit.

Claire Sharp exhibited and said: "The Secretary and committee of Royal Cheshire Show’s dog section are to be congratulated for pulling off the feat of a Covid secure dog show whilst still keeping it hugely enjoyable for all who attended.

“With more than 1,900 entries spread across the three days, it was the biggest dog show to happen in the UK since Crufts 2020 and was a joy to behold."

Tickets for the show are only available to purchase online here.