Bear Pit Battle at The 3 Counties Show, Malvern

Three Counties entrepreneurs have the chance to take the bull by the horns, enter the 'battle arena' and sweat it out in pursuit of a cash prize and some invaluable business advice to boot!

The Three Counties Agricultural Society is running its second 'Bear Pit Business Competition' on the first day (Friday 19 June) of the Three Counties Show, and is keen to hear from individuals or firms less than two years old who want to compete for £1000 and expert support and mentoring. The Bear Pit is a 'Dragon's Den' style initiative, run in conjunction with Herefordshire Rural Hub, and will be held in the Show's Rural Business Pavilion, which is supported again by Business Link. Five finalists will present their cases to a discerning judging panel, who will be on the lookout for dynamic businesses which best serve the rural community through innovation and sustainability. Application forms are available from Cathy Meredith at the Herefordshire Rural Hub on 01432 870033, email: meredithc@hct.ac.uk

Short Films Wanted for West Midlands Arts Festival - ArtsFest

If you have a film that you would like to get shown at ArtsFest in September, please send it to (a long with contact details and any relevant information about the film):

Sam Groves
129 Northfield Rd
Kings Norton
Birmingham
B30 1EA

Or email:

sam.groves@hotmail.co.uk

Ticket offer for the last ever Royal Show 7-10 July

The Royal Show is the UK's leading agricultural show which is proudly organised and presented by the Royal Agricultural Society of England. Held over four days, welcoming over 100,000 visitors, the Show prides itself on being one of the best events of its kind, celebrating and showcasing all aspects of food, farming and rural life. Come and enjoy a fantastic day out in the country; we promise you'll be spoilt for choice with what to see, do and try!

Visit http://www.royalshow.org.uk/ for more info.

Think Food and Farming is pleased to offer you a special rate in recognition of your support. Simply call the ticket hotline on 0844 5811400 and quote ORGS09 to get your tickets for just £10 for an adult ticket and £5 for a child!

(Standard prices £15 advance tickets or £18 on the gate)

Win a Gourmet Foodie Break with EatScotland

VisitScotland and Inverawe are offering you the chance to win a two night foodie break to the West Coast of Scotland.

Enjoy a two night stay at The Pierhouse Hotel in Port Appin, Argyll on the shores of Loch Linnhe. With spectacular views out to the Islands you will be in awe of the magnificent scenery that the West Coast of Scotland has to offer

To enter the competition visit http://eatscotland.visitscotland.com/competitions/food-break-argyll.html

Referral Scheme Winners in May

Winners at the end of May were J Reason from Northampton, B Bolsher in Gloucestershire and S Williams from Worcestershire. To take part in June and the chance to win a £50 Farncombe gift voucher visit http://www.farncombeestate.co.uk/referafriend.asp

Garden & Cosmos now open at The British Museum

The Royal Paintings of Jodhpur
28 May – 23 August 2009

This exhibition is a rare chance to see paintings from the royal collection of the Mehrangarh Museum Trust, Jodhpur.

It features a loan of 56 paintings from India, none of which have been displayed before in Europe. It is a fantastic opportunity to experience the unique art tradition that flourished in the royal courts between the 17th and 19th centuries.

£8, Members free

For full details visit http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/all_current_exhibitions/indian_summer/garden_and_cosmos/exhibition_overview.aspx

broadway arts festival 2010

2010 Broadway Arts Festival – Dedicated to John Singer Sargent RA and the Broadway Colony
John Singer Sargent Festival : 11 - 20 June 2010

Friday 11th June 2010, Official Festival launch including an evening talk on John Singer Sargent at Farncombe by Heather Birchall, Curator (Historic Fine Art) Whitworth Art Gallery, University of Manchester.

Start of Farncombe Estate weekend with Hugh Brewster, renowned author, on John Singer Sargent and Francis D. Millet.

For more details visit www.FarncombeEstate.co.uk/BroadwayArtsFestival2010