All the fun of the fair (From Gazette & Herald)

All the fun of the fair

11:00am Thursday 15th May 2008 in News By David Jeffels

THOUSANDS of people attended the Pickering Game and Country Fair, now established as one of the top outdoor events in the Ryedale calendar.

Staged by the Events Office at the Pickering Showground, it saw some of the top gun dogs, terriers and show horses in the country taking part.

One of the big attractions during the two-day fair were demonstrations by top chefs Antony Worrall Thompson, Aldo Zilli, Kevin Roxby of Rushyford Game, and Andrew Pern of The Star, Harome, which attracted large audiences.

Mary Worth of the Mounted Games Association said competition had been keen in the prestigious championships in which riders from five regions of Britain competed. "This is a splendid venue for such an event, and proves a very popular attraction in the main ring."

Another highlight was displays by Ridgeside Falconry run by Phil Gibbons who showed off his skills with his eagles, kestrels, hawks, vultures and owls.

Vintage tractors, a large number of crafts and specialist stalls, scores of traders, and a giant funfair also featured in the fair.

Ivan Ash, one of the team of organisers, said: "It was outstanding value at £8 a ticket for adults.

"With the glorious weather it proved to be a splendid family day out."

Future events at the showground this summer include the legendary Traction Engine Rally on July 31, August 1, 2 and 3, and the Northern Model Engineering Exhibition on September 12, 13 and 14.