CHATSWORTH: Much-loved country fair kicks off with a bang

Chatsworth Country Fair was officially launched by a salute from the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.

Thousands were welcomed through the gates as the three-day event was opened by the fair’s president Lord Coe.

Mary Berry, star of BBC show The Great British Bake Off, was one of the first day’s biggest attractions as she put on demonstrations of her culinary skills in the dedicated food village.

She said: “Chatsworth is such a lovely estate and I am thrilled to be back.

“I visited the farm shop several years ago because they stocked my range of salad dressings and sauces.

“It is a wonderful farm shop with so much locally-produced food.”

Mary’s demonstration saw her making a salmon terrine followed by steak with wild mushroom sauce and hazelnut and raspberry roulade.

Later JCB Dancing Diggers delighted crowds around the main area.

Chatsworth’s head of customer services and marketing, Sally Hogg, said the weather was glorious and conditions were perfect.

She said: “We’re expecting Sunday to be the busiest day as big crowds are bound to come out to see the display by the Red Arrows at lunchtime.

“This is a huge event for us, the highlight of the year in many ways, but we always enjoy working to put it on.

“It’s a really fantastic way to showcase everything that we do and everything that’s happening in the countryside around us.”

Other first day highlights included gun dog trials, rifle displays, ferret races, archery contests and food tasting sessions.

For more coverage of Chatsworth County Fair – including pictures and video – keep checking www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk and pick up a copy of Thursday’s paper.

And don’t forget to email your snaps and experiences to [email protected]