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Straw bale cathedral created by young farmers

Richard Freeman A sculpture of Ely Cathedral made out of straw bales against a field backdrop, with a Union Flag flying from the Octagon TowerRichard Freeman
Soham Young Farmers created turrets and spray painted in windows "to make it look like the real thing", said Richard Freeman

A sculpture of Ely Cathedral made from straw bales has been created by a club for young farmers.

It is part of competition to create a landmark out of straw to publicise the return of a rural show.

The Cambridgeshire County Show is a traditional country event organised by Cambridgeshire Young Farmers, which is returning for the first time since the pandemic.

Organiser Richard Freeman said the Soham Young Farmers branch used 12 straw bales and spray painted in windows to make their model of Ely Cathedral "look like the real thing".

Huntingdon Young Farmers Straw bale structure inspired by the Angel of the North with a round bale head and long wings out on either sideHuntingdon Young Farmers
An angel - or "hayngel" as the group nicknamed it - was the creation of Huntingdon Young Farmers
Comberton Young Farmers A windmill made from round straw bales with pink and blue sales and red, yellow pink and blue cut out flowers in frontComberton Young Farmers
Comberton Young Farmers used their bales to make a windmill, with colourful sails and surrounded by flowers

"The straw bale sculptures are among 39 competitions we've set the young farmer groups - they range from flower arranging, cookery, photography, woodwork and some on-the-day mystery challenges at the county show," said Mr Freeman, who is on the county show's organising committee.

Cambridgeshire Young Farmers has five branches and they all took part in the straw bale sculpture competition.

Huntingdon made an angel - or "hayngel" as the group nicknamed it, the March team were inspired by Tower Bridge in London, Comberton Young Farmers created a windmill, while the Newborough branch near Peterborough went for two cans of ale.

March Young Farmers Two stacks of straw bales, painted with windows, and two ladders in between, recreating Tower Bridge, LondonMarch Young Farmers
The famous Tower Bridge in London was the inspiration for March Young Farmers
Newborough Young Farmers While Newborough Young Farmers created two cans of aleNewborough Young Farmers
While Newborough Young Farmers created two cans of ale

The event is being hosted by the Abbots Ripton Estate, near Huntingdon, for the first time on 1 June.

The county show has existed for more than 20 years and it used to be held at the National Trust's Wimpole Hall Estate.

Mr Freeman said: "It's a good day out with lots to see from a young farmer tug of war, about 120 different vintage tractors, heavy horses, cakes and bakes and so much more - a traditional country show."

There are 581 Young Farmers’ Clubs in England and Wales

It is a rural youth charity for 14 to 26-year-olds aimed at anyone who enjoys the countryside, regardless of their farming background.

Richard Freeman A straw bale sculpture of Ely Cathedral with 19 Soham Young Farmers group members standing in frontRichard Freeman
The groups hope their creations will help publicise the return of the Cambridgeshire County Show for the first time since the pandemic

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