Wind And Wellies As Temperature Soars

WITH very strong winds (the remains of Hurricane Gordon), and temperatures of 28 degress, thousands flocked to this year’s Thame Show today.
The man who oversees the organisation of the event, which must be the equivalent to a major, military operation, Mike Howes, said that preliminary indications are that visitor numbers were well up on last year, with people pouring in from before 8am this morning.
One team however did not make the show for their section of the equestrian competitions because of a major hold up following an accident on the motorway.
Early in the afternoon, a female competitor was taken to hospital by air ambulance after she fell from her horse.
Although the temperature soared, a hot air balloon belonging to the Thame-based Altitude Balloon Company, due to take off around 4pm, remained firmly tethered to the ground because of the high winds.

To judge by the carrier bags in the hands of shoppers as they strolled around the show ground, it seemed that most of the trade stands saw brisk activity. But one of the day’s most popular buys was undoubtedly pairs of gayly coloured wellies with a choice of either a spotty or a stripey pattern – a far cry from the traditional green wellies and ‘Derry boots’ usually worn by the country set.
Out-selling the wellies however, were, unsurprisingly, ice creams and cold drinks with wide-brimmed hats coming in close behind.
It was good to see a couple of Furniture Design graduates, from the now defunct Rycotewood college, exhibiting some of their very innovate, laminated furniture that they sell from their business premises at Rycote farm.

In the main ring, the parade of the immaculately turned out winners in the Cattle classes was spectacular, with one or two of the more rebelious beasts proving to be quite a handful to lead.
Throughout the day, crowds were entertained by a motor cycle stunt show, ferret racing, the amazing Axe men, demonstrations by the fire service and the ever popular dog show.
The birds of prey, which included a delightful, young snowy white owl that hopped from one childs arm to another, enthralled younger visitors especially, as did the Berkeley hunting hounds who these days apparently chase a smelly rag instead of a fox.

Standards were high in the Domestic tent which included preserves, wine making, handicrafts, floral arranging, Childrens’ art and cookery and a cookery section for men. (Results will be published on ThameNews.Net tomorrow.)
It seems that entries in the Domestic Classes, particularly the children’s section, were down this year and the organisers are already thinking of new ideas to attract younger competitors, including may be a guitar customising section.

Once again the organisers of The Oxfordshire County and Thame Show produced a programme of events that attracted visitors to the town from all over the country and beyond, earning the show its deserved title of the best one day show in the country.