Popular Bake Off contestant Val Stones has been announced as the guest speaker at a dinner to mark the Shire Horse Society’s National Show in Staffordshire in March.
The loveable star of the baking programme will be treating diners to tales of her baking adventures during the evening event, to be held on 17th March at Bingley Hall, Staffordshire Showground.
The event is open to the public and is in support of the Shire Horse Society – the only national charity dedicated to the protection, promotion and improvement of the Shire horse.
It coincides with the three-day show running from 17th to 19th March, which is the world’s largest gathering of Shires and the chance to see the gentle giants of the horse world in all their finery.
“I became known as the cake whisperer during my time on the Bake Off, but I can’t profess to be a horse whisperer,” said Val, who appeared in last year’s series. “However, I’m absolutely thrilled to have been asked to speak at the annual dinner of the Shire Horse Society.
“My sister-in-law’s family breed and rear Shire Horses, and I love to see them in the fields when I visit, so I’m more than happy to do something to support the breed, which I understand is still regarded as an animal that is at-risk by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.
“I’m looking forward to the event and hope horse lovers and baking lovers alike will support it.”
Around 300 pedigree Shire horses from across Europe are expected to take part in the Shire Horse Society Show, being put through their paces in hand, in harness and during ridden classes.
Open to the public, the event is a colourful day out for all the family and the chance to support the campaign to save this magnificent breed of horse, which only a few decades ago was in danger of dying out.
Society secretary Victoria Clayton said: “We’re delighted that Val Stones has agreed to be our guest speaker at the annual dinner. She’s a really engaging character and we can’t wait to hear more about her baking adventures.”
Tickets for the dinner cost £30 and are available by contacting the Shire Horse Society on 01536 771611.
Tickets for the show are on sale via www.shire-horse.org.uk – discounted if bought in advance. Adult tickets on the gate are £12, or £10 online in advance, while tickets for children aged five to 13 years on the gate are £10, and £8 online in advance.
Children aged 14 years and over are charged at the adult price, while under fives enter free.
Gates open on Friday 17th March at 8.30am and at 7am on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th March.
For more details and ticket information about the show, visit www.shire-horse.org.uk or follow @saveourshires on Twitter or at www.facebook.com/shirehorsesociety
