A TRADITIONAL British country show will celebrate its 60th birthday this weekend with more than 1,500 visitors expected.
The long-running Toot Hill Show, which features everything from a Royal Horticultural Society garden show and classic cars to dogs herding ducks, has been organised by one Stanford Rivers resident for the last six years.
Maurice Harvey, 48, of School Road, has become an integral part of the event. He said: "It is an integral part of the calendar and means a lot to the community.
"The area wouldn't be the same without the Toot Hill Show.
"The dog and duck show will be new this year along with ferret racing and hopefully it will be a good bit of fun.
The show was born out of the Stanford Rivers Horticultural Show, which was first staged more than a century ago. This precursor to the Toot Hill Show had everything from flowers to steam engines and became a key part of the annual calendar.
The first Toot Hill Show was held in 1953, with hundreds of entries in several categories, and was remarkably successful, growing year on year.
This success has been down in part to the involvement of the local community, who often donated equipment and their services free of charge.
Phillipa Giles, of London Road, Stanford Rivers, has been a member of the organising committee for the last 20 years.
The mother of two, who works at The Woodman pub, in Stanford Rivers, explained how the show has expanded.
She said: "We have cups and medals to award in several categories, we are no longer just about the flowers.
"We are in the 21st Century now and we want everyone to have fun and come along.
"We have the traditional stalls like a coconut shy but we also have the climbing wall and bouncy castles.
"The cups are a key part of the show's history and really represent our community.
"We have those donated by local pubs, and those donated by the families of people who held the show dear.
"I got involved to give back to the community – the show is a key part of it and, especially in rural areas, it gives us a chance to get together and have fun."
The anniversary show will be held between noon and 5pm, at Bridge Farm, Stanford Rivers, on Saturday.
For more information, visit www.toothillshow.co.uk
