Visitors flock to Moreton Show

2:30pm Tuesday 4th September 2007

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AROUND 20,000 visitors flocked to Moreton Show on Saturday - despite a ban on the livestock competitions due to foot and mouth restrictions.

Instead, the spotlight fell on the horses and poultry, home and garden, and entertainment and trade sections of the show.

The horses did not disappoint, with closely fought competitions and star of the show Bindaree, the former Grand National winner, taking the special class for retired and retrained racehorses.

To make up for the lack of sheep, farmer Richard Savary had his dog round up some geese instead, much to the delight of the crowds.

Top attractions were Titan the robot, back by popular demand after a successful debut last year. So mesmerising were his performances - including famous lines from films and some hilarious karaoke moments - that he had to have three extra minders to prevent him being mobbed.

Also stealing the show were the Rockin' Horse Stunt team who jumped through fire, did acrobatics on horseback and demonstrated how to skateboard behind a horse.

Young farmers also stepped into the main arena for a variety of entertainment including the Red Barrows who went through a fast-paced display of stunts to rival the airborne Red Arrows, including smoke trailing from their barrows.

Helping to make up for the absence of sheep, goats and cattle, poultry entries were up and the Home and Garden marquee was bursting with a huge selection of entries including cakes, preserves, tarts, quiches, artwork, photographs, crafts, flowers and particularly spectacular displays of chrysanthemums, dahlias, and potatoes.

In the WI section, Ebrington WI fell under the spell of Johnny Depp's Pirates of the Caribbean influence to produce an eye-catching display on a theme of Treasure Isalnd. With the help of its birds of paradise flowers and rum cocktail the ladies took first prize, with Moreton Evening Wi in second with the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Broadwell and Donnington WI third with Alice in Wonderland.

Among the trade stands, Batsford Woodland took first prize for the best large stand with the help of tenant and longbow craftsman Steve Stratton who dressed up as Robin Hood.

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