LIFE is now back to normal here at the Far Forest Society pavilion, sports and showground.

Once again, the show annual Far Forest Countryside Show surpassed all expectations and we had a fantastic day.

The numbers of visitors has continued to increase and even the extra parking and the vintage park-and-ride which were introduced this year struggled to cope with the influx of families coming to enjoy our ever more popular show – so much so that we are considering the possibility of more buses next year!

The show was opened by Dr Pam Ball who also presented the prizes for the horticultural show which included a great selection of exhibits from some very talented members of our wider community.

We pride ourselves in providing an extremely varied programme of events and spectacles. This year we once again played host to the Knights and Freemen Medieval Village and enjoyed watching them re-enact ferocious battles.

New this year were the young dancers from the Severnside School of Dance and the fabulous Soft Option Appelation Dancers who made us all want to get our clogs on and join in!

We were entertained on the sidelines by Chester the stilt-walking clown, taekwondo demonstrations, ferret racing and an assortment of rides and activities.

The cookery demonstrations by some excellent local chefs, including Daren Bale from the Hop Pole, were a hot favourite and they are already preparing their recipes for next year, so be prepared for some tasty treats!

The Hagley Falconry Centre never ceases to enthral us with magnificent displays and Sony with his close-up magical encounters is always a pleasure to watch.

There were some beautiful dogs in the dog show this year, ably run by Forest Dog Rescue, while our friends at the Wyre Community Land Trust co-ordinated a variety of animals and farm birds to delight us.

The tractor rides were extremely popular, providing a pleasant and alternative view of the show, in particular those gleaming classic and vintage vehicles, caravans and machinery.

The three marquees were brimming over with exhibits and we were pleasantly amazed by the number and quality of goods on display all around the showground.

Richard Bell and his fellow artists put on a delightful exhibition of paintings in the pavilion where cream teas tempted art lovers to indulge. Richard has plans for extending the exhibition next year, including sculpture and art activities.

In addition to the Far Forest WI refreshments, our new food court was a huge success, offering a variety of delights to enjoy whilst listening to the acts on the music stage, including the brilliant Mumbo-Jumbo, the Dead Beats and the incredible talents of the Groove Diggers jazz band from Winterfold House School.

We were blessed with fabulous weather this year which helped to make the day such a success, thus enabling us to provide funding for the Far Forest Society Pavilion, sports and showground maintenance and development.

We already have facilities which can be hired for football, tennis, meetings, activities and parties. We meet regularly to plan for the maintenance and development of our facilities for use by our community.

We are currently planning internal improvements and the creation of a bowling green. If you are interested in becoming a member of the society and getting involved in these future plans, please visit our website: www.farforestsociety.btck.co.uk Show manager David Bell and the show committee members work all year round: gathering and researching ideas; sourcing facilities, services, equipment, goods and entertainers; planning and preparing, in an effort to make each show better than the one before.

This is getting more and more difficult as each year we are told that our show is superb. Nonetheless, we are still determined to improve year on year.

So if you would like to get involved or just come along and see what we have in store next year on Sunday, August 10, please keep an eye on our website: www.farforestcountrysideshow.btck.co.uk

SUZANNE WHINDER-WRIGHT Committe member Far Forest Society Park Avenue Stourport