ALTON Show 2005 attracted the weather, the entries and the crowds to produce a real stunner. Well over 8,000 people passed through the gates at Froyle Park on Sunday - and they were rewarded with a wide range of exhibits, stalls, demonstrations and activities with the emphasis on both fun and education. "What we were trying to do is to provide something for everybody and I think we succeeded," said show chairman Michael Propert Lewis. Organised by the North East Hampshire Agricultural Association, the event acts as a showcase for the local farming community and an opportunity to educate the public about farming issues. It is also offers an impressive programme of entertainment for the whole family - and this year was no exception. In the main arena visitors were able to witness the magic of the Welsh Horse Yeomanry's musical ride, daring leaps through flame-filled hoops by the Rockwood Dog Display Team, a display by the American Saddlebred Association, parades of hounds and, of course, the grand parade of animals, led by supreme champion in the cattle classes, the South Devon bull Chavid Merlin, owned by Selborne farmer David Ashcroft and handled by son, Richard. With more entries, not only in the livestock classes but in terms of trade stands (92 as opposed to 70 last year) and in the Rural Crafts and Food and Farming marquees, the show was in top form. It costs in the region of £50,000 to stage the show, and while the intention is not to make a massive profit, show secretary Jan Butler is expecting this year's takings to be up by around 20 per cent which will help to bring about improvements for next year. Mrs Butler expressed grateful thanks to all those volunteers who had helped in the smooth running of the event and in particular Scribelands at Froyle, who had assisted with the construction and preparation of the ground.