WEATHER that ranged from bright sunshine to heavy showers failed to dampen the enthusiasm of visitors to Tenbury Show.

The show which always takes place on the first Saturday in August remains the blue riband event in an increasingly busy annual calendar.

The showground was buzzing throughout the day as people from all over the West Midlands and further afield poured in the enjoy the event that combined a family day-out with agriculture.

It was the venue for the 33rd National Show of Hereford Cattle as well as the National Ryeland Sheep Show.

Tony Bradstock from Tarrington was a winner with supreme show champion Hereford, Freetown Decree. He was presented with the trophy by Kath Gibbs, the wife of Tenbury Agricultural Society president, Phil Gibbs.

Monster trucks were one of the many attractions as well as tractor-pulling.

There was also a team of Monster Trucks and in one of the stunts two of the trucks were attached to each end of a scrap car and proceeded to pull it apart. There was another display in which the trucks crushed a line of scrap cars.

The show was the venue for the National Young Farmers' championship and there was strong pulling as the competitors had to cope with slippery ground. Women from the Tenbury Ladies tug-of-war team demonstrated that the sport is very much something for men and women.

A display of vintage vehicles including cars and tractors. There was also a display of stationary engines. Among the vehicles on display was a 1934 Austin A7 still going strong after 83 years.

Among the stationary engines Geoff Chapman from Malvern demonstrating wheat-milling on his Fairbanks Morse Z Headless Hit & Miss 1913, one of many vintage working machines on display.

In an area known for fine food and drink there was no reason for anyone to go thirsty or hungry. One of the exhibitors was Francis Shields of Pieroth Wines who gave people the opportunity to sample some of his wines on offer.

Cooking displays included Rory Bunting of the Oak, Wigmore, who showed people how to make ballotine of chicken.

People were able to see birds of prey along with other animals.

Horses are always a popular part of Tenbury Show and these range from the magnificent and huge shires to the must smaller but plucky Shetland ponies that took part in races and were a big hit especially with children.

Other activities for children included climbing and face painting.

Although dogs, apart from guide and other support dogs, were kept out of the grounds, children were allowed to meet the hounds taking part in displays.

Crafts and arts featured in a special marque.There was also a horticultural tent that included a wide variety of plants and cut flowers.

One of the most important as aspect of the Tenbury Show is its importance as a social event enabling people to meet and catch up with old friends.

This is especially the case with farmers and people working in agriculture which can often be a very lonely and isolated life.