Latest news with #countrylife
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Staffordshire County Show marks 225th anniversary
Hundreds of people turned up to enjoy two days of country life at the Staffordshire County Show, which celebrated its 225th was a range of agricultural displays, including farm animals, as well as motorcycle demonstrations, show jumping, a dog show, local produce to sample and a variety of the new features this year was a cat show, with about 30 different show's chief executive officer, Richard Williams, said the event on Wednesday and Thursday was important for the farming community. "One of the things that I've often said is on farms we have seen a reducing labour force to the extent where probably there's only one person working there," he said."They [farmers] are alone for hours on end in a tractor or milking parlour, so therefore it's really important they come to something like this where they can meet colleagues, they can talk about problems, discuss what the latest inventions are and what have you."He added that the competitions remained at the heart of the show, as they had been since it started 225 years ago in 1800, and that's still the case today."The people who are competing are really serious. These animals are preened to the utmost because they want to win," Mr Williams said. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Simon Cowell's fiancée Lauren Silverman reveals music mogul's surprising love of country pursuits and whether they call in on neighbours the Beckhams after swapping London for lavish £8M Cotswolds Farmhouse
Simon Cowell 's fiancée Lauren Silverman has revealed the music mogul's love of country pursuits after swapping London for life in the country. The socialite, 47, who shares 11-year-old son Eric with the BGT boss, 65, said her partner loves clay pigeon shooting, dog walks and yoga following their move to a lavish £8M Cotswolds farmhouse in 2021. Lauren, who has been engaged to the TV star since 2021, told Closer: 'We switch off properly. We also watch movies, do yoga and clay pigeon shooting. We walk the dogs together. We cook'. Despite David and Victoria Beckham also boasting a huge Cotswolds home nearby, the two famous families do not seem to cross paths often. Laura explained: They're busy people. We kind of keep ourselves to ourselves'. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. However while visiting the Chelsea Flower Show with pal and Britain's Got Talent judge Bruno Tonioli, 69, she said he was a regular visitor to the family home and is known as 'Uncle Bruno' to son Eric. While the dancer told the publication: 'There's a little group who get together. It's good to keep what you do in your private life separate. Nobody knows what's going on and I like it that way'. Simon and his family moved to the country following a spate of break-ins at their now-sold £45million former home in Holland Park, west London. And in January MailOnline exclusively he was bidding to extend his the home with a massive new 'party barn' for entertaining his A-list friends and family. The new extension is described as 'minor in scale' by Cowell's building agents though it covers 793sq ft, roughly the size of an average new build house in the UK. Their stunning new eight-acre country estate is perched grandly on a hilltop overlooking a picture-perfect village frequented by celebrities and royals alike. The grounds already feature a wild swimming pond and an indoor pool, but the new plans suggest he is keen to have a new large dedicated socialising space. It would also double as a games room for the couple's boys Eric and 18-year-old Adam who is Lauren's child from a previous relationship, and for them to have friends over too Despite having spent £500,000 on security to safeguard his London home, Simon was subject to repeat intrusions while living in Holland Park. In 2023, it was alleged that a criminal gang had even sold the exact lock to his front door. Back in 2015, thieves broke into the property in the early hours of the morning and stole jewellery worth up to £1million and two passports from an open safe. Simon and Lauren were asleep in their beds as was their son Eric, who was a baby at the time. X Factor star later said of the incident: 'One hundred per cent I'd like to meet the guy. 'If we found him I'd want to have a conversation with him. I don't want to say too much right now because I am angry. 'As a dad you have to realise the psychological damage it does having someone you don't know in your home 3ft away from your little boy.' he also said he was disappointed that his three dogs did not raise any alarms when the invasion happened, adding: 'They didn't make a sound. They're usually always barking but they chose not to at that time. Now I have dogs that bark.' Simon also experienced a scary encounter at his Holland Park residence in 2012, when a woman wielding a brick broke into the property while the TV personality was at home watching television.
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Farmer Wants A Wife announces shock twist set to shake up the series - following two stars walking off the show after finding love
In a dramatic twist to this year's Farmer Wants A Wife, Channel Seven has announced the late arrival of a brand new farmer set to shake things up. Farmer Jack, a 26-year-old dairy farmer from Tasmania, will make his belated series debut on Monday night, after both Tom and Jarrad exited the show early due to finding true love. His unexpected entrance looks to bring some drama to the dating show, with a recent trailer showing a flustered host Natalie Gruzlewski telling Jack: 'This has not happened before. I will have to double-check that, just give me one minute.' Described by friends as 'Steady Eddy' due to his calm nature and clear sense of direction, Jack is passionate about all things country life. He is searching for a down-to-earth partner who shares his love for family, animals and the simple things in life. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'I'm looking for someone with girl-next-door vibes. Someone who is family-oriented, has a good sense of humour, and is willing to move to the country, who wants kids too,' he said in a statement. Jack was part of the original casting pool for the 2025 season but was held back after the original four farmers were chosen. His addition is sure to shake up the series, with the season seemingly winding down after Farmer Jarrad and Farmer Tom chose their partners early and exited the show. The shock move has ruffled the feathers of several long-time viewers who shared their thoughts on social media. 'Bringing a farmer in when the show's nearly finished is stupid. Too cruel to the ladies,' one person sniped. 'Isn't it almost over? He's a bit late to the party,' a second added. Earlier this week, Farmer Tom became the second man to leave FWAW after finding love, however fans of the show were up in arms about his choice of lady. Tom, 31, who farms sheep in Borambola New South Wales, was down to two women in episode 10 - Eliza and Georgie - and after visiting their families and taking them on their final date, he whittled his way down to one. 'Through this whole experience, I enjoyed every moment I've been with you,' he told his chosen beau. 'I'm excited to take the next step in this. I've fallen really hard and fast for you, Georgie. I'm in love with you.' Prior to that, Farmer Jarrad's journey on FWAW came to a thrilling conclusion. Jarrad appeared to find his happily ever after with Queensland bartender Chloe, after he picked her to be his final choice on the dating show, dumping his second choice, Victorian education support worker Ashlee. Down to his final two ladies, he met their families, hoping this would help him in his decision making. Despite having strong affections for both ladies, Jarrad announced bartender Chloe had won his heart, saying the pair went together like 'cold beer and country music'. Only Farmer Thomas and Farmer Thomas remain from the original contestants and Jack, who has been paired with eight women from which to find true love, is sure to keep things as lively as ever.
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Shropshire County Show's 150th year is 'magnificent achievement'
An organiser of the Shropshire County Agricultural Show has said reaching its 150th year as an event is a "magnificent achievement for Shropshire".The show's aim is to promote the role of the agricultural industry, but over the years it has evolved and now welcomes thousands of visitors from outside the is held at the West Mid Showground, Shrewsbury, and will be on Saturday from 0900 BST to about 1730."We're 150 years old, it's not the 150th show and the reason for that is world wars, foot-and-mouth, Covid," said Ian Bebbington, who is chief executive of the Shropshire and West Midlands Agricultural Society. "We're absolutely delighted to have lasted this long and hopefully it'll be there for many generations to come," he told the show has been a staple in the county's events calendar since started out in the Quarry in Shrewsbury, before bouncing around various venues, and finally making its home at the county town's showground."One of the constants is the animals," said Mr Bebbington. "We're delighted this year to have record entries, over 1,000 animals on site, which is what the show is all about."Attractions at the event include racing pigs, ferrets, a cooking show, and traders selling crafts and food."It's just a celebration of country life, really," he year, the highly popular monster truck show is back after a three year hiatus."We're really looking forward to seeing them smash some cars up."He added that the site, notorious for flooding, was ready for visitors."It's well documented about the flooding, and every year we seem to get it back up and running, and it looks magnificent down there," he said. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
