Thousands flock to this year's Berkeley Show (From Gazette Series)

Thousands flock to this year's Berkeley Show

GLORIOUS sunshine and hours of entertainment kept over 10,000 visitors happy on Bank Holiday Monday at the 104th Berkeley show.

The event, held at its traditional location of Castle Meadow in Berkeley, opened its gates at 9am displaying over 100 trade stalls as well as the expected pony classes, show jumping classes, gymkhana, livestock judging and horticultural and handicraft competitions.

Christine Carter, secretary of the Berkeley Hunt Agricultural Society which organises the show every year, said: "It seems to have been a good day, everyone has been busy, everything has gone off reasonably well. Of course the beautiful weather has helped."

The livestock classes were very well supported this year with over 80 competitors entering despite farmers being under strict restrictions because of tuberculosis.

Richard Carter, chief cattle steward at the show said: "We have had very high quality in the cattle classes, for the first time we have even had Belted Galloways, which are a rare Scottish breed and you don't see them very often.

"Entries were mostly local farmers with an emphasise on young farmers. We really are trying to encourage youngsters to get into cattle handling." The horticultural, handicraft and cookery sections also received a lot of interest. Horticultural, handicraft and cookery section organisers Alan and Christine Bebbington had to arrive at 7am Monday morning to allow competitors plenty of time to arrange their displays before judging began. Mrs Bebbington said: "People are very competitive, we can't be late otherwise we get jeered."

"Entries were up on last year, with a lot more children entering items." A musical stage provided a musical interlude for those needing to rest from the sun, hosting a jazz band, line dancing and a drum and dance band from Sierra Leon during the afternoon.

With over 100 trade stalls present there was a lot to keep the family busy. Old Gloucestershire farmers' market showed off their local produce, various meats, vegetables, home baked goods, preserves, cheese, eggs and fruit.

South Gloucestershire Bee Association gave an interesting display of bees, demonstrating how a hive survives through the year. The stall also gave a taster of the produce that can be made from the honey collected from a hive. Items included lip balm, hand-cream, honey and candles. The association has been running for almost 40 years and new members are welcome as long as they show commitment.

Richard Dalrymple-Smith, secretary of the South Gloucestershire Bee Association, said: "We provide all the equipment free of charge for new members but they have to be committed. This is something you do as a hobby, to make a profit you would have to have hundreds of hives."

After such a successful day two surprised stallholders found themselves presented with best trade stand.

AJ England's Finest Gardens Ltd, based in Berkeley Heath was declared winner of best large trade stand and Puddleditch farm shop, also from Berkeley Heath, won best small trade stand.

Lucy England who owns and runs AJ England's Finest Gardens Ltd with her husband Andy said: "It's quite exciting we didn't realise there was quite a thing going on."