London Pet Show Visitor Success

London Pet Show, sponsored by MyPetonline, which took place at Earls Court One on 17 and 18 May, was declared a huge success by organisers, with major new attractions taking up double the amount of space at nearly 20,000sqm and a line up of top celebrities creating an enticing draw for over 24,000 visitors over the two days.  

Nicole Cooper, Show Director of London Pet Show at Brand Events said: “We’ve taken the show to another level this year creating the highest quality visitor experience through a number of interactive features, arena performances with leading talent and we are delighted with the result.”

Top of the bill was the new SuperDogs Live, hosted by TV presenter, adventurer and dog lover Ben Fogle and sponsored by Direct Line Pet Insurance, seeking the UK’s most talented, heroic and entertaining dogs, with performances twice daily in the Zoflora Super Theatre.  Kicking off with an abseiling Metropolitan Police Alsatian dog being lowered from the dizzy heights of Earls Court One to the sound track of Mission Impossible, the show included heart warming, heroic and spectacular doggy dancing and trick performances, judged by a celebrity panel including Channel 4 Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick and broadcasters Anna Webb and Joanne Good.

Fans of wildlife TV presenter Steve Backshall enjoyed an awesome display of some of the most dramatic predators on earth in an interactive stage show with the likes of a Reticulated Python, Giant Centipede and Alligator Snapping Turtle, live, up-close and on the big screen.  Fans were also delighted to meet Steve after his performances for a book signing.

Swedish Rabbit Show Jumping cup holders enjoyed leaping to unbelievable heights to rapturous applause and Bob the Cat and owner James Bowen enjoyed meeting their fans during a book signing as did eight-year old Owen Howkins and his dog Haatchi the three-legged Anatolian Shepherd who recently topped the Sunday Times bestseller list with their heart warming tale. 

Visitors to the show were able to meet a menagerie of over 450 pets at the fourth London Pet Show, with lots of experts and talks to learn how to care for them, including BBC Springwatch and Autumnwatch presenter Chris Packham advising on the itchy problem of ticks and fleas as summer approaches who attended with London Pet Show headline sponsor, MyPetonline.

Amanda Melvin, publisher of MyPetonline said: “We were proud to be headline sponsors of this year’s London Pet Show just a year after launching MyPetonline. We see the show as a unique event celebrating everything good about the world of pets and look forward to continuing our involvement and to being part of its development at its new home at ExCel London next year.”

Elizabeth Peplow, Editor of MyPetonline, said: “The London Pet Show is going from strength to strength and really stepped up a gear this year with the expanded floor space and even more fun features. The range of attractions and animals represented is breath-taking making it a fantastic event which we love being part of. 

"The London Pet Show audience is, like the MyPetonline team, passionate about pets and our whole team were kept busy over the two days, sharing information and hearing about visitors’ animals, making it a great experience” continued Elizabeth.

The show zones, all as popular as ever included Discover Dogs, sponsored by James Wellbeloved, Discover Cats, sponsored by Royal Canin, Discover Small Furries, sponsored by Burgess Excel and Discover Animals, Aquatics and Reptiles, sponsored by Exo Terra, Fluval and Laguna, each area featuring a raft of different breeds and species, displays and experts to advise visitors on how to care for each kind of pet.

With the closure of Earls Court One at the end of 2014, London Pet Show moves to ExCel London in 2015 taking place on 9^th and 10^th May.  ExCel London situated in the East of London runs over 300 events a year and welcomed over 3.6 million visitors through their doors in 2013.

Building on the success of London Pet Show, in the autumn of 2014 Brand Events launched the National Pet Show, also sponsored by MyPetonline, which takes place at the NEC, Birmingham on 20 and 21 September.  The National Pet Show will be a replica of the London event including SuperDogs Live, once again sponsored by Direct Line Pet Insurance and hosted by Ben Fogle.

Nicole Cooper concludes: “We are looking forward to bringing our successful format to Birmingham this Autumn and are working hard to put on a fantastic event for visitors to enjoy and exhibitors to do great sales.  Having organised many award winning events at ExCel London over the years we are also excited at London Pet Show’s move there next year and expect a large percentage of our loyal pet loving visitors to attend with the venue’s excellent transport links.”

Catherine, a visitor from Newbury, told the organisers about her visit to the London Pet Show: “Had a great day!  Third time we have come to this event which just gets better and better.  Hoping to go to the NEC in September.”

www.londonpetshow.co.uk

Afternoon tea and cocktails rock at Hilton Brighton Metropole

City leaders enjoyed tasters and cocktails overlooking the sea at the launch of the spring food and cocktail menu in the freshly decorated Waterhouse Bar & Terrace at the Hilton Brighton Metropole recently. 

New executive chef, Peter Buckingham, has joined forces with Waterhouse bar manager Nick Heasman to create 'perfect pairings', bringing together some of the most delicious new 'grazing plates' and sumptuous layered afternoon tea menus with taste tingling cocktails that bring out the best of the local flavours.

Said Howard Lewis, General Manager, Hilton Brighton Metropole: “We have a superb new team and we aim to offer tea by the sea in style, with an exciting menu and beautiful surroundings, including new heaters and parasols to enjoy our unique sea view terrace.

“The Waterhouse Bar & Terrace offers just the place for business people, ladies who lunch and families to enjoy the most fashionable afternoon meal, sliding gently into cocktail hour and watching the sun go down on Brighton’s seafront.”

The new menu brings some of the best local ingredients to the table, including Hailsham lamb from Ashdown Farm in East Sussex, mackerel caught off the Hove coast, and even Brighton Rock crushed to enhance a spectacular and unique crunchy cheese cake.

Cocktails combine classics with specially-created drinks carefully matched with the food, offering flavours that cut through with a tart but delightful white wine and pineapple Brighton Rocks cocktail, the Sussex Mule providing a limey alter-ego for the local lamb gourmet burger and local gin based Blackdown Bramble setting off the mackerel and capers to perfection.

The new ‘Tea by the Sea Seaside Delights’ menu offers a fun twist on the Brighton seaside location, with a range of sumptuous cakes to choose from, along with quirky candy floss cupcakes, baby toffee apples and small jam doughnuts, all hand made in the hotel’s own kitchens. The sandwich selection also includes the best of Sussex ingredients, with Shoreham crab, cheese made in local dairies and delicious local ham.

To wash it down, guests can choose from a wide selection of teas and coffees or enjoy the new ‘Champagne Tea by the Sea’ cocktail, blending bubbles with Earl Grey infused Sussex Gin, or ‘Hedgerow Fizz’, combining a light sparkling white wine with locally sourced elderflower cordial with a frozen fruit garnish.

Children are also well catered for with the ‘Mad Hatter Afternoon Tea’ offering a three tier loaded stand of their very own, with ham, marmite and jam sandwiches and strawberry jam tarts topped with candy floss, mini Brighton rock and vanilla or milk froth whisked up at the bar.

Hilton Brighton Metropole is donating £1 for every afternoon tea sold to local charities Chestnut Tree House, Rockinghorse and Whitehawk Inn.

Howard Lewis and his team aim to make the Waterhouse Bar & Terrace, which is open daily, a destination which offers the very best in hospitality and style.

www.hilton.com/brightonmet.

Sussex Foodie News Summer 2014

Read Sussex Foodie News Summer 2014 at http://t.co/skpoeIGJo8

Fur and feathered friends at Spring Garden and Leisure Show

A bumper gathering of fur and feathered friends will be on display and in competition at this year’s Spring Garden & Leisure Show taking place on Sunday 4^th and Bank Holiday Monday 5^th May at the South of England Showground, Ardingly.

Over 155 alpacas will be competing in the South East Regional Alpaca Show, double the entries in comparison to last year and one of the larger shows in the UK with a new ‘Best of British’ class showcasing the best UK bred animals.  A record number of 14 weavers and spinners from Sussex and Kent will be in the Spinners and Weavers marquee where visitors can learn how they turn alpaca fleece into garments such as hats, scarves and ponchos.

For all dog lovers, the region's top breeders and over 700 dogs will compete to qualify for Crufts in the South of England Open Dog Show which forms an integral part of the weekend and has received commendation from The Kennel Club, in particular, for the way it offers help and advice to members of the general public. 

Thrill seekers can also enjoy the new Paws in the Park ‘Dogstable Course’ where visitors and their dogs can compete in a fun and safe obstacle course including a tunnel, gate and jumps with rosettes awarded to the fastest times of the day.

With dozens of breeds of chicken to choose from at this year’s show, those looking for a taste of the good life can find out all they want to know about back garden chicken keeping.  Vet and poultry expert, Martin Smith and Agricultural Consultant, Andrew Marshall will give regular live talks about caring for poultry, and enthusiasts are encouraged to come along throughout the weekend and ask their questions. 

Clare Hastings, Chairman of the Spring Garden & Leisure Show Committee said, “This show offers a unique insight into the countryside and a great day out for all the family.  Younger visitors can enjoy the fluffy duck trail which will lead them on a journey right around the show to take in sights such as guess the weight of the giant rabbit, the ‘Access the Countryside’ exhibition featuring cattle, sheep, goats and pig workshops or the incredibly popular Mini Sheep Show.”

Thousands of visitors are expected at this two-day garden and leisure event and green-fingered fans will be inspired with thousands of seasonal plants, shrubs and garden features on display and for sale across the showground.  The latest retro-fashion in gardens, a Victorian-style ‘Stumpery’, made from uprooted tree trunks and planted with flowers, will form the horticultural centrepiece for the show.

Top garden experts will be on hand to advise people on how to repair their gardens after the wettest winter on record.  BBC gardening expert Jean Griffin and head gardeners from some of the most exquisite and popular gardens in the South are part of an exciting programme of Q&A sessions, talks and demonstrations to answer all your gardening and horticultural questions and help put gardens back on track. 

Head Gardener at the Salutation Gardens in Kent, Steve Edney will explain how he is bringing the famous gardens back into bloom after spending much of this winter under 20ft of water.  Martin Duncan, Head Gardener at Arundel Castle; Tom Brown, Head Gardener at Parham House; and Peter Holman, Chairman of South and South East and London in Bloom will also join Jean on the panel of experts.

The Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance crew will also be operational from the showground during the weekend and whilst on the ground it will offer a very special insight into how the crew works and a rare opportunity to look over a fully operational helicopter.

Doors open at 9am and close at 5pm.  Admission for adults is £10, children £5 and senior citizens and students £8. Save money with a family ticket (2 adults + 2 children) for just £25 or for advance ticket discounts and further information visit www.seas.org.uk or telephone 01444 892700.

Arlington Bluebell Walk & Farm Shop open to public

Hailsham Town Crier Geoff Rowe formally kicked off the opening ceremony for Arlington Bluebell Walk for its 42^nd year of opening to the public to raise funds for local charities, reading Emily Bronte’s bluebell poem and leading a toast to spring 2014.

John McCutchan, Farmer at Bates Green Farm near Hailsham, who created the walks and looks after the wood, cut a ribbon to open the woods early this year, as they are already a sea of white wood anemones and the bluebells have started to open already.

He said, “I believe we may see one of the most spectacular bluebell displays ever this year.”

The Arlington Bluebell Walk, which takes in three working farms, has been delighting countryside lovers and raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for Sussex charities since it first opened in 1972. There are seven different walks to try in the 23 acre wood, including the graveled Blue Walk, which gives access to mobility scooters, wheelchairs and pushchairs. Mobility scooters are also available to borrow free of charge.

Seventeen charities will take part in the 2014 event, with Demelza Children’s Hospice in East Sussex first in line, fundraising by providing food and drink to walkers. To date, the Arlington Bluebell Walk has raised more than £500,000 (todays value) for 60 local causes since the attraction opened to the public 42 years ago.

John McCutchan, who farms the land where the Bluebell Wood is and created the Bluebell Walk, said: “Bluebells signify that spring has well and truly arrived and warmer weather is on its way.  A woodland walk among a carpet of bluebells is an experience to delight all the senses – from the scent of the native bluebell to the crunch underfoot of old autumn leaves and birdsong up above. The Arlington Bluebell Walk has walks and activities which allow people of all ages and physical abilities to experience this stunning natural phenomenon.”

The fleeting beauty of the spring bluebells has inspired writers, such as the Bronte sisters, and artists for generations. Photographers are encouraged to capture the sea of blue in the annual Arlington Bluebell Walk Photographic Competition. The winner entry will be featured on the front of the 2015 attraction leaflet and entries from 2013 will be on display.

Artists can take part in the Paint Me a Bluebell competition and there is also a children’s quiz with prizes awarded by the National Farmers Union. The quizzes are based on the different colour coded walks.

Visitors can also learn more about dairy farming and get up close to farm animals with pens of pigs, angora goats, sheep and baby chicks. At neighbouring Parkwood Farm, the milking of the large herd can be seen from a special viewing gallery every afternoon between 3pm and 5pm.

The Bluebell Farm Shop which is normally open Fridays and Saturdays from 9.30pm to 5pm will be open every day the Bluebell Walk is open from 11.00am and is the main outlet for locally produced beef, lamb, chicken and fresh turkeys at Christmas all reared by John McCutchan’s son in law Michael Vine (formally from Ersham Farm in Hailsham)

The Farm Shop is a foodies’ paradise, stocked with a tastebud-tantalising selection of ingredients for a spectacular dish prepared with the minimum of food miles. Farmer’s wife Philippa Vine is a professional cook and food writer and has a passion for locally sourced quality ingredients. The shop will stock a mouthwatering range of homemade sausages, pies, tarts and delicious cakes. Quality essentials such as olive and flavoured oils, vinegars, spices, herbs, coffee, rice, pasta, pulses, flour and local free range eggs will also be available.

For those wanting the ultimate takeaway after their walk, Philippa offers a pre-order service, where countryside lovers can pick up tarts, cakes, casseroles, and pies after their visit.  Philippa also offers cookery tuition in her farmhouse kitchen on a one to one basis, or with a friend.

orders@bluebellfarmshop.co.uk  or telephone 07896742454

Arlington Bluebell Walk

Thursday 10 April – Sunday 18 May 2014

Bates Green Farm, Tye Hill Road, Arlington, Polegate, East Sussex, BN26 6SH

(Signs off A22 and A27)

Open 10am daily   Close: 5pm daily

Adults £5.00. children £2.00 or family of up to 6 is £12.00.  Seniors £4.50

www.bluebellwalk.co.uk