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.Â
Films for Farmers is the first cinema initiative for farmers in the UK, offering a free ticket for a “farmer’s friend” 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’s livestock auction centre, carrying award-winning local Appleby cheeses.Â
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.Â
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’s screening of the French farming drama Holy Cow.
“I like a cheese with a good depth of flavour and a lasting taste in the mouth. I think my own St Bartie’s would give any French Brie a run for their money!”
Louise Courvoisier’s Holy Cow won Best First Film at this year’s CĂ©sar Awards for its frank coming-of-age tale of a young farmer who suddenly inherits a farm.Â
“As a cheese-maker myself, I’m very excited to be judging the Big Cheese Off.”
Millie Preece
“Inheriting a farm today is a huge worry for my generation,” said Millie.
“The 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.”
