After two-and-a-half inches of rainfall during set-up week, the skies cleared for a sunny 178th Hadleigh Show – enjoyed by a record number of visitors.
The event, unspoiled by the odd afternoon shower, was attended by more than 12,000 people, in Holbecks Park, on Saturday.
Among highlights in the main ring were the Devil’s Horsemen Cossack Trick Riders, whose horses and stunts have been featured in film and television, and whose show debut was hailed a huge success by organisers.
A little less breakneck, but equally popular with show-goers, was a demonstration of machinery, showing how onions are grown locally.
Meanwhile, ringside entertainment included the sheep show, young farmers’ tug-of-war, dog agility displays by the Tendring Agility Group, and a mini mountain bike course operated by British Cycling.
Show secretary, Catherine Leney thanked the local community for working hard throughout the year to make it a success. She also praised traders for doing their bit to protect the showground from any adverse effect of the preceding week’s rain.
“Everyone who arrived on Thursday helped a great deal by not driving on the site,” added Mrs Leney.
“It meant we had a great day, with a crowd in excess of 12,000 and record levels of livestock. It was great to see such a crowd.
“We’re grateful to everyone who supports us.”
The event also marked the launch of the Hadleigh Festival of Gardening and Art, which continues throughout the summer, until the middle of September.
The first Hadleigh Show was in 1840 and has since been held another 177 times – only stopping for war, and the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in 2001. It traditionally takes place on the third Saturday in May. This year’s event, helmed by show director Patrick Goudkuil, fell the weekend between the South Suffolk Show and the Suffolk Show.
All but one livestock award went to competitors from Suffolk or Norfolk. They included Darren Knox, who took the Champion Continental prize home to Nayland – just a few miles down the road. Meanwhile, Best Suffolk sheep went to R Partridge & Son Ltd, of nearby Kersey, and Thwaite shepherd Benn Lugsden took three prizes back to his home, near Eye.
Hadleigh Show 2017 cattle exhibitor results:
•Champion Hereford, Shadwell Estate, Thetford.
•Champion Continental, Darren Knox, Nayland.
•Champion Aberdeen Angus, Mr and Mrs Denning, Tuddenham St Mary.
•Champion Other Native, James Loveday, Horsford, Norfolk.
•Supreme Champion, Shadwell Estate, Thetford.
•Best collection of Cattle, Shadwell Estate, Thetford.
Hadleigh Show 2017 cattle exhibitor results:
•Best Suffolk , R Partridge & Son Ltd, Kersey.
•Best Southdown, Mrs G Sprake, Halesworth.
•Best Other Down Breed, Benn Lugsden, Thwaite.
•Best Other Native, Nick Whitehead, Stowmarket.
•Best Continental, Neil Pamplin, Northamptonshire.
•Supreme Champion Sheep, Benn Lugsden, Thwaite.
•Best Collection of Sheep, Benn Lugsden, Thwaite.
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