THOUSANDS flocked to the annual Alresford Show to enjoy a day packed with all things agricultural.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of Tichborne Park, and with a welcome return to summer, gate numbers were up around 13 per cent on the previous year, according to show organisers, triggering hope for a healthy surplus.

As well as the hundreds of stalls and activities, visitors to the September 2 show were able to enjoy livestock judging, vintage and modern machinery, food and farming marquees, poultry and egg show, and a dog show which attracted 133 entries.

Ferret racing, birds of prey, bees, and arena events including showjumping, a Pony Club relay, heavy horses, private driving, the Hampshire Hunt and pig racing also featured.

Herald reporter Gwyneth Rushton said: “It seemed that the whole of the Hampshire countryside, towns and villages, plus their dogs, horses, cattle, sheep, hens and ducks, and all other kinds of livestock, had turned out on a glorious Saturday to show support for the Alresford & District Agricultural Society.

“From toddlers to teenagers to their siblings, parents and grandparents, every age group was catered for on a huge scale and with skills and forethought that, if I had remembered to wear my sunhat, I would have taken it off to the organisers.

“The car parking would have seemed challenging enough, but it was handled with ample and sensible signage to flow the mind-bogglingly huge crowds of visitors up to the entrance gates to what was a joyful celebration of every aspect of country life, crafts, work and endeavours.

“The flower show was an event in itself and the Alresford Allotment Society provided a particularly glorious and colourful display of the results of their work during a difficult spring and some very challenging weather at times since then.”

And Gwyn added: “The organisation required to put on such a huge event could probably make less sturdy souls quake with fear but, as far as I could tell, the event seemed to knit together seamlessly and was a tribute to everyone involved.”

Cup & medal winners:

Banksian Medal (for most points in horitcultural classes): Neil Gratwick

Dr Lyndon Skeggs Challenge Cup (for most points in Section A): Neil Gratwick

Hampshire Chronicle Challenge Cup (for most points in Section B): WJ Ashby

Palmer Fruit Cup (for best entry in Fruit classes 48-53): Mrs V Wakefield

Tony Bravery Trophy (for longest runner bean): Mrs V Wakefield

National Vegetable Society Medal (for most meritorious vegetable): Neil Gratwick

Curtis Cup (Alresford Dahlia Championship): Henry Jane

John Saunders Cup (for small cactus or semi-cactus, dahlia championship): Henry Jane

Alresford Chamber of Trade Challenge Cup (best exhibit in dahlia & chrysanthemum open classes): Henry Jane

NDS Silver & Bronze Medals: Henry Jane

Ian Waite Novice Dahlia Cup (for best vase of dahlias): Jeremy Ashmore

Merfyn Hewins Memorial Trophy (for highest number of points in novice dahlia classes): Mrs C Chataway

Colonel Palmer Memorial Trophy (for highest number of points in roses classes): Marc Cumberlege

Challenge Cup (for best floral exhibit in novice classes): Emily Fisher

Alresford Flower Club Trophy (floral art championship): Rowena Durston

Jock Watson Challenge Trophy (best exhibit in floral art classes): Jennifer Tindall

Lady Tichborne Challenge Cup (best exhibit in floral art miniature class): Jennifer Tindall.

The Candover Trophy for Novice Floral Art: Maureen Skayman

Miss E Nicoll Cup (for the highest number of points in culinary Section G): Hefin Tudor

A Tankard (for men’s cookery): Lesley Hewett

British Wood Carvers Hampshire Branch Cup (for best exhibit in craft & design section): Mary Ashby

Mrs C Daubney Trophy (best exhibit in the needlecraft section): Lisa Hiley

Maddie Attenborough (best photography exhibit): Finn Bruce

Children’s Trophies: U7 – Amelia Turner; U11 – Laura Dicker; U16 – Eliza Stevenson-Hamilton

Mid-Hants Railway Prize (for best exhibit U11): Alfie Farrant.