A valuable opportunity to showcase East Anglian food and farming to thousands of visitors will return next weekend.

The 134th South Suffolk Show takes place at Ampton point-to-point racecourse in Ingham, between Bury St Edmunds and Thetford, on Sunday May 14.

It offers a day of family entertainment and countryside fun - but also an important chance to educate the public about the region's vital food chains.

While the traditional livestock competitions show the finest cattle, sheep and pigs, the cookery demonstrations and food vendors will give visitors a chance to enjoy the consumer end of the supply line. 

And this promotion of local food is particularly important for this year's show president. 

East Anglian Daily Times: Metfield pig farmer Peter Mortimer is the president of the 2023 South Suffolk ShowMetfield pig farmer Peter Mortimer is the president of the 2023 South Suffolk Show (Image: Newsquest)

Peter Mortimer, a pig farmer based in Metfield, near Harleston, first exhibited at the South Suffolk Show in 1980, and once won the Charles Boardman Challenge Cup - the coveted award for best exhibit, rotated each year between cattle, sheep and pigs.

He said those rosettes are still proudly displayed on his office wall - and he is keen to use his presidential term to promote the quality of local food and farming.

"This year's theme is local food, so I want to support that ethos whenever we get the chance to educate the public about what we are doing," he said.

"The education here is as good as any - there are things that you wouldn't even get at a  county show.

"Once the judging is done, the livestock areas will be open to everybody. They bring their best animals and they are showcasing all the work that has gone into their bloodlines over the years to get the best out of them.

"Then we have Local Flavours doing a cooking demonstration, and Eat Street is filled with local food, and so is the main food hall."

East Anglian Daily Times: The South Suffolk Show returns on May 14, 2023The South Suffolk Show returns on May 14, 2023 (Image: Denise Bradley)

Entertainment highlights include the Bolddogs FMX motorcycle display team, scurry and trials driving, ferret racing, and displays of farm machinery and heavy horses.

Discounted tickets can be bought in advance online at www.southsuffolkshow.co.uk. Car parking is free.