THOUSANDS of visitors from Petersfield, Alton and local farms and villages enjoyed this year’s Hampshire Country Sports Day at East Meon.

Held on the 2,500 acre Bereleigh Estate, owned by Bill Tyrwitt-Drake, the show featured country sports such as archery, fly-fishing, and terrier and lurcher racing, and clay pigeon shooting with Olympic medal winner and World Champion at sporting clays, Richard Faulds MBE.

More than 80 stalls selling, among other items, country clothing, carved animals, shepherds crooks, locally sourced foods and cider, gin and other ‘craft’ drinks, surrounded the central arena.

In the arena, bird of prey displays by Ye Olde Redtail Falconry, whose falcons have appeared on many TV shows and even in the movie Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, gun dog training by Nick Gregory, and an insight into trail hunting by the Hursley Hambledon Hunt, were just some of the entertainments.

Riders and hounds from the hunt cantered around the ring and over its jumps, much to the enjoyment of the crowd. See next week’s Post for show photos...