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If you live in the country you'll be used to a bit of mud and there was certainly plenty of it at the 2008 Dorset County Show. Heavy rain on the day before the show started ensured that the Dorchester Showground was nicely churned up.

A dog display team performed at the show

Visitors had to wade through thick, sticky mud to visit the stands but show secretary Sam Mackenzie-Green said this didn't put people off. "We're really pleased that it all went ahead and that people took it all in good spirits."

Visitor numbers were down on the usual 50,000 over the two days but there were plenty of spectators to the many events taking place in the main arena.

Town crier record

Scurry racing, pony trials, a dog display team, a falconry show and the lumberjack act Adam's Axemen all drew the crowds. As did the sight of both permanent and temporary 280 town criers, shouting "oyez" at the same time to beat a world record. Dorchester's town crier Alistair Chisholm said, "We gave 280 people the chance to be a town crier for ten minutes and they thoroughly enjoyed it."ÌýÌýÌýÌý

Dorset's agricultural shows have always been a vital part of the rural calendar but the organisers worked hard to make the Dorset County Show relevant to modern day urban dwellers.

Show secretary Sam Mackenzie-Green said: "We like to think it's a quintessentially English experience, but there's a lot for all the family whether you want to come and do shopping or see the vintage cars and tractors, or the children want to see the animals - there's something for everyone."

Sam Mackenzie Green, Secretary Dorset County Show.

Year of Food and Farming

The organisers took advantage of the 2008 Year of Food and Farming to educate the public about where their food comes from.

A big effort was made to ensure that all the caterers on site were local. The demonstration kitchen in the food hall used mainly local ingredients.

Above all, the show was for those who work in agriculture. For farming families, such an events couldn't be missed, both in terms of show-casing their livestock and produce, and as a social occasion.

Falconer Jonathan Marshall

Despite the disappointment of the weather, there are plans to expand the show from a two day to a three day event. That would put it on a par with the other big shows in the region – the New Forest, the Bath and West and the Devon County.

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