THE weather was threatening to rain, and although they would usually have welcomed it for their crops, Hampshire’s young farmers were happy not to see it for their annual show.
The Broadlands estate was host to more than 3,000 visitors on May 13, 1978, each of them eager to watch the activities of the county’s young farmers.
Twenty clubs took part in competitions through the day and stayed on for a barn dance in the evening.
Members needed the opportunity to relax after competing in competitions in log sawing, gun handling, driving, puncture mending and corn judging.
But the fun wasn’t limited to agricultural activities, there was egg throwing, bicycle riding, sack racing and oil drum rolling.
At five years old James Ranswell from Warsash was the youngest member of the Waltham Chase Boys’ Motorcycle Club who put on a display of their riding skills at the show.
Despite a few pre-exhibition nerves, James performed a faultless routine on his 49cc bike.
Organiser Mary Willetts was pleased with the figures for the show.
“The attendance was between 3,000 and 3,500 which is marvellous in dull weather,” she said.
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