THE rain might have fallen with a vengeance on Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show last week, but it did not diminish the show's 150th anniversary celebrations.

This year's president Neil Parish, former MEP for the region and now MP for Tiverton in Devon, described it as one of the best agricultural shows to be found.

TOP NOTCH: Farm manager Jane Haw for the White family of Compact Farm, Worth Matravers, with two and a half year old Charolais Balbithan Dominica, supreme beef champion at the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show, receives the trophy from Sue Parish and her husband, show president Neil Parish. Pictures by Jennie Banks and Laura Jones
PROUD MUM: Jenny Mitchell of Shepton Beauchamp with her Dexter cow in calf Templeton Alfetta at the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show
GROUP WINNER: Best of the terriers in the Gillingham & Shaftesbury dog show was Skastaff Prince Buster, aka Ronnie, a 13 month old Staffordshire bull terrier, with his owner Tara Goree of Wyke, Gillingham
CLEAR TAKEOFF: Action in the showjumping arena at the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show
SPORTS LOVERS: Directors, staff and fundraisers of RiversMeet in Gillingham at the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show
NEW ARRIVALS: Young alpacas in their pen at the show
BUSY STALL: Members of Dorset Bee Keepers Association at the show
CUDDLY CAVY: Lyndon Nowell of Ashmore with his Golden Agouti guinea pig Dulcima at the show
STEPPING OUT: Private driving at the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show
TINY DRIVER: Adam Collis, two, of Gillingham enjoys the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show
HOSPICE HELPERS: From left, Mary Rochford, Shaftesbury committee members Peter Capel and her husband Maureen, Fundraiser Yvonne Campbell of Naomi House

Mr Parish, said: "It gives a chance for the public to see what farming is really about, and farmers to talk to the public who can work out where their food comes from."

Show chairman Michael Simpson said: "The spirit of the vale and its inhabitants are here in this family event run for and by the people of North Dorset. It is an important shop window for our industry."

There were more than 3,000 livestock entries. Supreme beef champion was a two and a half year old Charolais Balbithan Dominica owned by the White family of Compact Farm, Worth Matravers.

Supreme dairy champion was Holmead Supreme Roxy Red, a four year old Holstein owned by Messrs RT & MS Cox of Shaftesbury and exhibited by their daughter Becky.

She said: "I'm pleased. It's our local show. We're two miles down the road and dad's been showing here for 25 years."

Supreme commercial sheep champion winner was Matt Legge who had travelled from Binstead on the Isle of Wight.

Winner of the reserve commercial sheep champion was Ashton Selway from Thornhill Farm, Stalbridge with his Zwartbles.

Outside the cattle, sheep and horse rings, there was a packed programme of events in the two main arenas. Hunter, sidesaddle and show-jumping classes took place in the east ring and in the west were gun dog training, private driving, a parade of hounds, heavy horses and driving classes, and the Royal Signals White Helmets motorcycle display whose daredevil ride took place despite the heavy downpour.

There were few surprises in the horticultural section, where Terry Mole of Kington Magna, Derek Aldred of Witham Friary and Harry Godden of Shepton Mallet shared honours in the vegetable section.

Edna Thomas of Bedchester had the most points in handicraft for the fourth year running. Mrs D McNeish won the well-supported homecraft section, while most points in the flower section went to Tom Crabbe of Motcombe.