Alresford Show abandond

11:44am Saturday 6th September 2008

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ALRESFORD Show was today abandoned because the torrential rain has turned the ground into a quagmire.

Organisers took the decision to call off the agricultural show at Tichborne Park this morning.

It is the first time in memory that the show, which was celebrating its 100th anniversary, has been called off because of the weather.

The popular show is now facing an uncertain future, with six-figure bills but no income on the day.

Show secretary Gussie Raimes said: "It is such a shame, we are all devastated. But we are up to our knees in mud. It is a quagmire.

"It is such a tragedy as it was our 100th anniversary and we had lots of special events planned."

Public safety would have been jeopardised by tailbacks on the local roads because access onto the site would have been delayed, she said.

And she told the Hampshire Chronicle: "The financial implications of abandonment are enormous. We are going to have to appeal to everybody who has bought tickets, if they can afford to, not to appeal for refunds. Our costs are going to be £100,000 at least."

Ms Raimes said that the heavy downpours between 5-8pm on Friday evening had made access to the site impassable this morning.

Meanwhile, the Littleton and Harestock Show will definitely go ahead this afternoon.

In a statement the organisers said today: "The show has been going for nearly 100 years and has never been cancelled - and we have no intention of starting now."

Gates open at 1pm at Littleton Recreation Ground, Littleton, near Winchester. Tickets are £2 for adults, £1 for children, under 6 go for free.