IT has always provided visitors with a chance to revel in new experiences – and this year the opportunities on offer are greater than ever.

The theme of the 2014 New Forest and Hampshire County Show, now just ten days away, is Hands On.

Spectators pouring through the gates of New Park, Brockenhurst, can tackle 50 activities they might never have been able to attempt before.

Budding TV presenters can have a go at reading the news – thanks to a BBC studio that will form part of the show for the second year running.

A circus workshop will enable people to try their hand at being a Big Top performer.

Visitors can also get behind the wheel of a Subaru 4x4 and complete a series of manoeuvres on a special course just outside the showground.

Milking a cow, making a scarecrow and holding a dayold chick are among the other activities being arranged.

Daily Echo:

The line-up was revealed at a preview event held at New Park, where the Daily Echo backed show has been based since the 1950s.

This year’s headline act is motorcycle stunt ace Jamie Squibb, 32, who is making his third appearance at the three-day attraction.
Jamie will perform a series of gravity-defying feats as his bike leaps off a ramp and soars more than 30ft into the air.
Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Hayes, will officially launch a new strategy that aims to boost detection rates in the countryside.
Assistant Commissioner Judy Venables said: “When Simon was elected he challenged the Chief Constable to close the gap between the number of crimes solved in urban parts of the
county and the number solved in rural areas, who felt they were the poor relations.
“The rural policing strategy has been in operation for six months and we’ve already seen a narrowing of the gap.”
A raft of improvements have been made to New Park following a visitor survey carried out at last year’s show, which attracted 97,000 spectators.

Show spokesman Susie James said: “We’ve got more toilets, more seating areas and new parking
zones – so no more losing your car at the end of the day.
“This year’s show guide will include an eight-page supplement called Plan Your Day to help people get the most out of their visit.”
Show secretary Denis Dooley said: “It’s going to be a really good show – all the planning has gone extremely well.”