Staff discount available for the Royal Berkshire Show 2012

Thursday, 09 August 2012

Some of the 500 strong dairy herd at the University Farm

Once again this year the University of Reading will be showcasing some of our internationally recognised departments in an interactive exhibit at the Royal Berkshire Show 2012. We are also delighted to announce that the show organisers, the Newbury and District Agricultural Society, would like to invite staff and alumni to the Show with a special discounted ticket rate of £10 per ticket.

NB. The deadline for purchasing discounted tickets is 1 September 2012

The Show, which is taking place on the weekend of the 15 and 16 September, is a celebration of agriculture and rural living in our county and the University is pleased to host an exhibition featuring our work in these areas.

Our display this year will focus on dairying and will include hands-on opportunities to explore some of the processes involved. From milk production to cheese making, colleagues from the Departments of Agriculture and Food and Nutritional Sciences as well as the Museum of English Rural life will be on hand to tell the whole story.  

Visitors to the show will also get a rare chance to sample some Whiteknights Cheese - made using milk from the 500 strong dairy herd at the University Farm at Shinfield and produced by academic specialists in food production in the unique Food Pilot Plant on the Whiteknights campus.

The Museum of English Rural Life's now famous smoothie bike will also be returning to the Show. Visitors will be able to use pedal power to make a delicious and nutritious smoothie including yoghurt also produced with our own milk in the Pilot Plant.

Alongside the University's exhibitions, there are a whole host of other activities and displays to keep visitors entertained, including: livestock competitions, a daredevil stunt rider performance on horseback, over 600 shops and stalls, an old fashioned funfair and the final of the British Showjumping's International Stairway Competition.

Professor Bob Rastall, Head of the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, said: "The Royal County of Berkshire Show is a real highlight in our University calendar. We are particularly excited this year to be able to showcase our unique ability to produce cheese using only University produce, facilities and expertise."

How to obtain your University discount

Adult Tickets to the show are normally £14 online or £18 on the door, but University staff can purchase tickets at the discounted price of £10. The discount is only valid on tickets that are bought online, before midnight on 1 September, and each ticket is valid for either day but for one day only. Please note the discount is strictly for the purchase of tickets by staff and alumni of the University of Reading only.

Find out how to buy your tickets at the discounted price >>> (password protected link)