Nothing says ‘Christmas’ more than streets festooned with lights, the hustle and bustle of festive shopping and the annual events that bring communities together.  The 73^rd Melton and Belvoir Fatstock and Produce Show was no exception and lived up to its reputation as one of the country’s best, hosted by the busiest and most successful livestock market in the East Midlands, Melton Mowbray Market.

The day epitomised the fundamental aim of the society: to champion and promote livestock, farming and food - our Fatstock Show speaks to pride in British Farming, and, judging by the exceptional quality of the ‘new for ‘25’ Young Stock Person Classes, we are confident the future is in safe hands!

We all know that it is the taking part that counts, rewarded by fantastic prices under the hammer – a total of £171,819 made in livestock sales reflective of sheds fit to bursting with high quality stock from the length and breadth of the country, boasting 68 cattle, 328 sheep and 46 pigs. Clearly, however, there must be winners.  No – one envied the judges’ the task of choosing out of such a strong field!  We would like to take this opportunity to thank our fantastic judges who gave their time freely to be with us in the sheds:  Andrew and Fred Evans, Geoff Walker, Matthew Morris and Chris Sander.  We were also very fortunate to have Andrew Geary as our commentator, adding the cherry on the Bakewell tart of a busy, vibrant day in the market. 

A huge ‘thank you’ must also go to all our brilliant famers for bringing in their stock and showcasing what results from expertise honed over generations and sheer hard graft.   Without stock, there is no show.

The Results:  Please see below for the winners of each class:

Cattle:

Champion Beast: C. & G. Davies; Reserve Champion Beast: T.A & L.C Lyon & Son; Champion Steer: T.A & L.C Lyon & Son; Champion Heifer: C. & G. Davies; The Best Heifer (classes 1/ 2): T.A & L.C Lyon & Son; The Best Heifer (Classes 3 /4): C. & G. Davies; Best Home Bred and Fed Beast: H. G. Sharman; Best Native Bred Steer or Heifer: C. & G. Davies; Best Beast Shown by a Young Handler: Harry Amos; Young Stock Person Champion: Josh Ketley; Young Stock Person Reserve Champion Beast: Ben Ketley; Young Stock Person Largest Profit Margin: Josh Ketley; Young Stoick Person Best Presented Animal: Ben Ketley; Young Stock Person Best Heifer (classes 8/9): Ben Ketley; Young Stock Person Best Steer (classes 10/11): Josh Ketley

Sheep:

Champion Lambs: D.S. & L. E. Wadland; Reserve Champion Lambs: J. F Burbridge & Sons; Ewe Lamb Champion: G. W. Haynes; Champion Cull Ewe: A. J. Smith Farming; Best Pen of Blue Texel Sired Lambs: L. Chiswell & A. Wolfe; Best Pen of Three Native Lambs: Tarry Smith; Best Pen of Three Continental Lambs: J. F Burbridge & Sons; Best Pen of Three Continental Lambs: D.S. & L. E. Wadland; Best Pen of Three lambs Sired by a Charollais Ram: S. Hubbard; Best Pen of Three Lambs from a Regular Consignor: L. Chiswell and A. Wolfe; R.A.B.I Best Single Lamb of any Weight or Breed: D.S. & L. E. Wadland; Commercial Class for the Best Pen of Five Lambs: L. Chiswell & A. Wolfe; Commercial Class for the Best Pen of Five Continental Bred Cull Sheep: A. J. Smith Farming; Commercial Class for the Best Pen of Five Native Bred Cull Sheep: N Page Goodwood; Best Single Pure Bred or Native Sired Ewe Lamb (classes 29/30): R.W. Barker; Best Single Continental Pure Bred or Continental Sired Ewe Lamb (classes 31/32): G. W. Haynes; (NEMSA) Best Single Mule Ewe Lamb: G.W. Haynes; (NEMSA) Best Pair of Mule Ewe Lambs: J. Morris; Sheep Young Handler Class: L. Ellis

Pigs:

Champion Pig: M & L Fane Livestock; Reserve Champion Pig: A & P Schofield; Best Pair of Cutter Pigs: A & P Schofield; Best Pair of Bacon Pigs: M & L Fane Livestock; Best Single Pork Pig: K. Arden; Best Single Cutter Pig: A & P Schofield; Best Single Bacon Pig: Lovett & Vickers; Best Cull Sow: L. Knight

The Exhibition Hall for one day, became a foodie’s heaven, bursting with cheeses, sausages, pies, cakes, chutneys and jams in the form of our ever -popular MBAS Produce Show.  This annual event not only offers the opportunity for home cooks to show what they can do but shows why we are the Food Capital of the East Midlands with a plethora of incredible commercial producers showcasing their best. 

This year saw the highest number of pork pie entries, and rumour has it, one judge was heard to comment they had tasted the perfect pork pie – no surprise really – Melton Mowbray is home to the Pork Pie – never settle for anything less!

Visitors to the Exhibition Hall were also treated to some outstanding art work in the junior art competition run by the fabulous Kathryn Sauby Art Studio.  Melton is clearly not

Produce Results:

In the cheese classes Clawson Farms swept the board winning both the Best Stilton and the Best Midlands Cheese. This year we had a record number of pies and sausages entered by our commercial pie makers, butchers and farm shops. Walkers Charnwood Bakery had an exceptional show, winning the Best Two Small Melton Mowbray Pork Pies, the Best Two Large Hoop Raised Pork Pie, the Best Single Commercial Pork Pie, and the Best Speciality Pie with their showstopping Festive Luxury Pie. Dickinson and Morris won in the Best Single Large Commercial Pork Pie and the Best Two Large Melton Mowbray Pork Pie. Farmer Lou was successful once again winning the Best Selection of 6 Pork Sausages and the Best Selection of 6 Speciality Pork Sausages with her Hickory and Chipotle Sausage. Winterton Butchers won the Best Selection of 6 Speciality Sausage (not including pork) with their Venison Sausage.

The home baking and preserves section was again well supported. A special mention must go to Ratcliffe on the Wreake octogenarian farmer Major Brocksopp who won the Best Exhibit Trophy for his winning Chutney. In contrast 2 -year- old Annie Skinner gained a highly commended rosette for her Christmas cup-cakes.

As day moved to dusk, wellies swapped for heels, overalls for suits, the Stock Yard banqueting hall hosted the annual MBAS Dinner Dance.  With superlative food by Zest catering, live music by Mastersound, the great and the good of our wonderful community danced the night away!

Of course, MBAS is not just about the day, it is also about raising money for charity.  This year an incredible £15,000 was raised – the generosity of all those who gave so much – humbling.  Charities that have benefitted include: The Mayor’s charities: Mencap and Pepper’s a Safe Place

We finish with heartfelt thanks.  For 73 years the Melton and Belvoir Agricultural Society has stood proud and tall celebrating farming.  None of this is possible without good will and determination.  Our wonderful sponsors, generous auction prize donors who stand by us year on year, regardless of the economic climate, the Melton Market staff, who brace each year for the invasion of their office with the phrase ‘could you just’ not far from their ears and the volunteers who ensure the day and night go smoothly: THANK YOU.  And of course, a huge ‘THANK YOU’ to our wonderful visitors and guests, with a particular mention to our very own VIP – Siggy Atherton – Mayor of Melton.

We cannot wait to get cracking preparing for 2026 and we look forward to welcoming old faces and new for what will be the 74^th Melton and Belvoir Fatstock Show and Sale!