Littleton, Harestock, Show

That looked a daunting task on Saturday, as Littleton Recreation Ground was packed with a mini-tennis court, bowls, croquet, ferret racing, archery and a treasure hunt, to name but a few. Thirsty work.

Just as well then that the WI Teas stand was on hand, doing a roaring trade throughout the day. There was no end of food on offer, including Blacker’s Barbecue, cake stalls and traditional ice-cream sellers.

This is an event that prides itself in being a ‘traditional English village show’. Families sat on the grass enjoying cakes washed down with real ale, while younger children caught a ride on the miniature steam train and older children also let off steam at the crockery smashing stall. All this to the accompanying sound of the Barton Stacey Trad Jazz Band.

Chris Townend, 77, and his wife Ros, 72, of Weeke, have been going to this show for as long as it has existed. Mr Townend said: “I think the band is great and I always like to see the cadets too, because I was involved with them myself many years ago.”

Organisers of the show say they like to include something a little bit different each year. This year, one thing in particular stood out: a 24ft climbing wall towered over proceedings. Throughout the day there was always someone on it, and always a queue in front of it. Tom Sherwood, 33, an engineer from Eastleigh , said: “My two kids have been on it. I don’t think I’ve seen one at a fete before. It’s a really good idea to include something exciting like that for the kids.”

Bert Spencer, chairman of the Littleton and Harestock Show Society, said: “We try different things each year and there’s a lot here this year that we’ve not had before.

“We’ve been over flowing with the car parking, so you can tell from that it’s definitely been a successful show.”

Another good year then for Littleton and Harestock. Whether or not anybody was actually successful in visiting every stall and activity, they would have had fun trying.