Posted: 11th June 2014 | Back to news feed
People poured through the gates for Hartpury’s biggest ever Summer Fair and enjoyed the surprise sunshine!
A dodgy weather forecast did not deter more than 1500 people from enjoying the entertainment and hundreds of activities and animals on show at this fantastic, free event on Saturday (June 7th).
And the sun shone as more than £650 was raised for Hartpury’s chosen charity, Midlands Air Ambulance, who brought their ‘helipod’ along with children loving the chance to climb into the cockpit.
That figure included more than £125 from sales of Lovells Ice Cream as well as donations from the public, with students and staff carrying collection buckets around throughout the day. The charity will be back for the Hartpury International Horse Trials in August.
With free entry for everyone, even the family dog, the Summer Fair proved an unmissable day out.
Jonathan’s Jungle Roadshow proved as popular as ever, with visitors having a go at snake handling and the chance to get hands on with lots of other reptiles, while new attractions - Zorbing and ‘Walks with Hawks’ – were also a big hit.
The children loved trying their hand at circus skills, ancient crafts and a host of sporting activities while a fire thrower amazed the crowds alongside an action-packed arena programme.
This included a dog agility exhibition, show jumping, sporting skills, drug detection dogs and vintage tractors. In the indoor arena, there was a series of Equine exhibitions and displays.
Visitors also enjoyed a tractor ride to the farm to see sheep shearing and butter making as well as the chance to climb aboard the farm machinery, while trips to Hartpury’s new walled garden to see the animal collection, including meerkats, prairie dogs and our new wallaby joey, went down a storm, as did the opportunity to take a llama for a walk!
The day closed with the ever-popular family dog show, with a Weimaraner called ‘Abbie’ winning best in show.
“It was a fantastic day and it was great to hear so many happy people of all ages tell me what a great experience they had,” said Hartpury Principal, Russell Marchant.
“We were a bit worried when the heavens opened in the morning but as the clouds cleared, local people turned out in force to support the event and it was a pleasure to show off our beautiful campus in all its glory.
“As well as being great family fun and a celebration of everything that is good about Gloucestershire, the Summer Fair also gives us a great opportunity to showcase what we do so well here – from sporting success to Equine excellence and animal management.
“I hope that people enjoyed sharing the day with us as much as we enjoyed welcoming them. I would also like to thank them for their generosity in supporting our chosen charity.”
You can see a gallery of photos from the Summer Fair on Hartpury College’s Facebook page and a ‘Storify’ of the event is available at https://storify.com/emmasmith78/hartpury-summer-fair#publicize
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