LARGE crowds headed for Frogham Fair near Fordingbridge on Saturday for a very large helping of country fun.

The only sounds of discord were the snapping and snarling of the dogs as they lined up for the terrier racing - and that was only high spirits as they clamoured after the rabbit lure.

There were four heats and a final with the winner being Jake, a two-and-a-half-year-old Patterdale terrier owned by James Anderson from Salisbury.

Jake beat veteran Jack Russell Arnie, owned by Steve Mays of Ringwood, in a tense final that got the crowds cheering.

There was more cheering and more winners in the wheelbarrow races up Blissford Hill, a 200 yard, one-in-four, leg-searing, lung-burster of a sprint which attracted four women and 10 men.

In the women's race 34-year-old mum-of-three, Tiffany Wilson, from North Gorley tok the title from twice-winner Sarah Madgwick from Hyde. Tiffany's time was 49.55 seconds against Sarah's 53.31.

And in the men's race, last year's victor James Crichton from Gosport had to accept defeat gracefully as local man, 35-year-old Michael Bartlett from Rockford made it third time lucky and won the Memorial Hall Challenge Trophy by a mere .59 of a second, recording 35.31 secs.

In the fair field, hungry people queued patiently for the burgers and beer served up by Clare Godfrey and at least a dozen assistants, as they barbecued 550 tasty dishes all with local ingredients.

Live music came from Only Human, with Ibsley lad Chris Andrews on drums, Poole's Richard McLester on guitar and Wimborne's Sam Hanson on keyboards.

Bric-a-brac and craft stalls raised money for numerous worthy causes, Charlie Hathaway of Wimborne brought along part of his collection of 14,000 bottles, including wine flagons bearing long-forgotten names like H F Withers of Fordingbridge and Poole Botanic Brewery.

Botanical artist Marguerite Harris and husband Ken proudly displayed their gypsy bow-top caravan, once their home for six years.

Geoff Knight of Hordle had a range of walking sticks for sale from £6 to £24.

Local man Peter Brown's lumberjack display attracted a lot of attention, as did the local history exhibit in the tea tent.

Classic cars, train rides, numerous games and clowns Crusty and Crumbly helped ensure there was something to entertain everyone.

First published: August 29