The Big Cheese Off is a highlight of Films for Farmers at The Rural Remix, a weekend of rural-themed films and events run by Shropshire Independent Cinema taking place on 11 and 12 July.聽
Films for Farmers is the first cinema initiative for farmers in the UK, offering a free ticket for a 鈥渇armer鈥檚 friend鈥� at one of three Shropshire cinemas, as a way of addressing social isolation.
Tractor-led launch
As part of the launch, The Rural Remix tractor set off from Ludlow Picture House to Shrewsbury鈥檚 livestock auction centre, carrying award-winning local Appleby cheeses.聽
It was met by Mike Wilde and Chris Hine, the projectionists from Old Market Hall cinema in Shrewsbury, who hand-delivered the cheese for tasting by Shropshire Young Farmers, including chair Millie Preece.聽
Millie is judging The Big Cheese-Off at Wem Cinema at Wem Town Hall on 12 July, a Shropshire vs. France free tasting competition set around the cinema鈥檚 screening of the French farming drama Holy Cow.
鈥淚 like a cheese with a good depth of flavour and a lasting taste in the mouth. I think my own St Bartie鈥檚 would give any French Brie a run for their money!鈥�
Louise鈥疌ourvoisier鈥檚 Holy Cow won Best First Film at this year鈥檚 C茅sar Awards for its frank coming-of-age tale of a young farmer who suddenly inherits a farm.聽
鈥淎s a cheese-maker myself, I鈥檓 very excited to be judging the Big Cheese Off.鈥�
Millie Preece
鈥淚nheriting a farm today is a huge worry for my generation,鈥� said Millie.
鈥淭he pressure of dealing with the weather, uncertainty, fluid markets and rising costs is daunting. But there are so many elements of farming life that give you the drive to try and make it work.鈥�
