Littlehampton event will go down as one of the best!

It had everything – sunshine and blue skies, a great band on the stage, excellent arena displays, superb exhibits of flowers, fruit, vegetables and crafts at the show, an amazing showcase of community organisations and tasty treats from the refreshment stands.

Thousands of people flocked to Rosemead Open Space, many arriving as the event opened at noon and staying late into the afternoon.

Even at 6.30pm, a couple of hours after the event officially finished, there were still groups of people sitting around, enjoying picnics.

Blues Brothers tribute act The Rhythm & Blues Brothers, had the crowd dancing to music that was perfect for a sunny afternoon.

And talented youngsters from the town showed off their skills, with displays by the Sussex Tornados cheerleaders, Dance Industry and Razzamataz, while the Madeiran dancing and singing group based in Littlehampton, shared their culture and traditions.

Animal lovers had plenty to enjoy – with the Pet Farm’s goats, chickens and ducks to admire, and a pet show organised by Littlehampton Dog Training Club, which attracted numerous entries.

Braver visitors could take on the challenge of the Spider Mountain Climb, a maze of seven elasticated webs to negotiate, before emerging, high up, to come back to earth again on a slide.

And the community marquee was packed with town organisations highlighting their work.

Uncertainty over the future of the Town Show itself – this was the 21st year of the horticultural/crafts event – together with the poor early summer weather are thought to be the cause of a slight dip in entries to 620, down by about 90 on last year’s record.

However, show manager Alan Humphrey was pleased with the overall turnout and high standard of exhibits.

Yet again, there was a good number of newcomers taking part, several of them going home with trophies or claiming first places.

Among them were Kay Drew, receiving the Suter Cup for runner-up in floral art, Debbie Lawrence, winner of the F. A. Holland Cup for photography, the Arcade Knitters for best scarecrow, Lesley Gumbrell, who won the Elizabeth Jane Brett Cup for best tomato, Diane Booker, with the Catcher Recruitment Trophy for best rose buttonhole and David Stubbings, taking the How Cup for most cactus points.

Julie and Alistair McCulloch collected numerous trophies in the horticultural classes. David Stevens was another prolific prize winner, as was Alan Humphrey, himself.

“All in all, it was a very good show,” said Alan, “certainly one of the best. I was particularly pleased with the number of children’s exhibits, 68 this year.

“The judges were very impressed with the extremely high standard of exhibits.”

The winner of the Cuff Miller prize draw for £100 was Antony Nye, of Gloucester Road, Littlehampton.