A mixture of Petersfield RFC players, civilians and field gun Servicemen combined at the August Bank Holiday festivities in Petersfield to put on a display of field gun running.

The genesis of the competition originates was Second Boer War in South Africa. To help relieve the siege of the British Army garrison in Ladysmith in 1899, guns from HMS Terrible and HMS Powerful were transported inland, with the final section requiring them to be manhandled over difficult terrain.

One story tells of sailors carrying one of the 12-pounders for two miles after one of the wheels collapsed.

Organised and marshalled by PRFC Stalwart, Steve Penberthy, the gun run was a bright spot on an otherwise rainy day as the crew showed strength, control and teamwork to a packed street audience.

With former field gunner Nigel Ayling in attendance to oversee the proceedings, the crew followed the ’Brickwood’s’ race format to essay four runs along the High Street.

Used to this day in closely fought intra-service competitions, this format simulates the drill which would have been undertaken to bring the field gun into action at Ladysmith.

Whilst the crew sought to surprise and delight the crowds, the main purpose of the event was to raise money for the Parkinson’s Disease Charity.

They exceeded their target raising over £1,000 for the charity, helped by a bucket collection on the day by Petersfield U15 players.