Hopes Hadleigh Show repeats its 2014 success when it takes place on May 16

Crowds of people flocked to the Hadleigh show last year (Image: Archant)

Run by the Hadleigh Farmers Agricultural Association (HFAA) the show is now in its 176th year and is one of the oldest one-day agricultural shows in the country.

The showpiece event takes place on Saturday, May 16 at Holbecks Park – but has big shoes to fill.

Secretary of the HFAA, Cathy Leney, said there was plenty in store for everyone visiting.

“This year we have gone a bit more local, we have gone back to our Hadleigh roots,” she said.

“Last year the weather was perfect and we hope it will be the same as last year which was a record crowd.

“We will have the Hadleigh Great War Centenary project there with a stand and (Royal British Legion chairman) Mark Brennan is going to build some trenches for us.”

In its own marquee will be the Hadleigh Year of the Sheep team, commemorating the town’s wool heritage with events throughout the year.

Part of its offering is I’m a Sheep... Get Me Out of Here, a team challenge, which Ms Leney said would “be a bit of fun for everyone”. “I think it is fair to say there will be sheep all over the place,” she added.

Ms Leney also said this year would see two dedicated food areas instead of caterers being scattered around the site.

Other attractions include the Inch Perfect Motorcycle Trials Display team, the Young Farmers Tug-O-War and falconry displays.

Advance tickets are available at hadleighshow.co.uk as well as Avis Newsagents in Hadleigh, the Hollow Tree Farm Shop in Semer, Boxford Post Office, Bates, Wells & Braithwaite in Sudbury and Hall Farm Shop in Stratford St Mary.

Early-bird discounts are available before May 15, making family tickets £24.00 (£27 on day), adult tickets £9 (£12 on day), child (ages five to 16) £5 (£7 on day) and senior citizens £7 (£10 on day). Parking is free and gates open at 8am.