Thousands bask in the sunshine at Hadleigh’s 179th annual show

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. The Grand Parade PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

Visitors were treated to a host of entertainment, including livestock shows, vintage tractors, dog agility , cookery demonstrations and a high-flying motorcycle stunt show.

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. Celebrating the Royal Wedding in style on the Shelley Centre for Therapeutic Riding RDA stand PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

The food hall was packed with delicious food and treats, with more than 42 local producers showcasing their wares.

This year’s flower show was also a highlight of the day.

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. A chance to meet the foxhounds PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

Marking the end of World War One, arrangements focused on the theme of ‘Nostalgia and Memories’

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. Working hunters show jumping PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

Cathy Lemey, show secretary, said although this year’s event clashed with the a certain Windsor wedding, people still turned up in their droves for the show, helped by the glorious weather.

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. The Tendring Dog Agility display PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

She said: “Down here in Hadleigh we knew there was another event in Windsor going on but it certainly didn’t stop people coming out.

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. Royal Wedding flags decorate Carole Travell's donkey exhibit PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

“We always have the FA Cup final to contend with most years but never a royal wedding.

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. The Grand Parade PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

“We didn’t screen the wedding but there were a lot of people sitting ion the sunshine watching it on their phones or iPads.

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. Sporting Royal Wedding red white and blue: Chris Partridge from Kersey with his champion continental and reserve interbreed champion British Blue PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

“At 3pm we had a toast to the newly wedded couple at the start of our grand parade.

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. The Grand Parade PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

“I should think we had more than 14,000 people came along to the show.

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. Hon Show President Emily Holden with George Pratt and Viceroy II PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

“They came early - at 8.30am the gates were buzzing.

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. Hon Show President Emily Holden presents the trophy to Karen White with Alder Carr Charlie, Best Suffolk Gelding PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

“What fantastic weather we had too.

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. The donkey classes resplendent in flags for the Royal Wedding PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

“We couldn’t have asked for better really.”

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. The Grand Parade PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

Show director George Apter said the dare-devil Broke FMX stunt team really wowed the crowds

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. The Grand Parade PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

“They were brilliant the Broke FMX guys,” he said.

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. The Grand Parade PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

“They were doing big air jumps and back flips.

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. The Grand Parade PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

“I think it worked really well.

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. The Grand Parade PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

“Because they were so high in the air everyone could get a great view.”

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. The Grand Parade PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

Visitors were also given the chance to milk a cow in the show’s education tent.

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

“It was renamed the ed-moo-cation tent this year, said Mr Apter.

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

“We were really lucky with the weather this year. Clearing up has been a lot nicer in the sunshine.”

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. The Donnelly family from Mistley cool off with ice cream PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

Ollie Pratt, next year’s show director, said plans were already under way for the 180th show.

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. The junior Young Farmers Tug-o-War Hosts Brett Valley take the strain PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. The Broke FMX freestyle motorcross show PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. Stewards Jonathan Wilkinson and James Forrest welcome visitors PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. Titan the Robot entertains PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)

Crowds enjoy a hot and sunny day at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday. Honorary President Emily Holden and Show Director George Apter lead the loyal toast to the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex PICTURE: Andy Abbott (Image: Archant)