Herts County Show 2005
PENALTY shoot-outs have kept goalkeepers on their toes in recent
weeks - and the Herts Show was no exception at the weekend.
So many talented youngsters took part in a penalty shoot-out
at the show in Redbourn on both days that there was almost a shortage
of ice creams for the young participants.
Film actor and former soccer player Vinnie Jones, who is president
of the Herts Agricultural Society this year, commentated on the
shoot-outs, joined by fellow football player John Fashanu - and
it proved so popular that it overran both days.
This year's show attracted a new record attendance of more than
30,000 visitors over the two warm and dry days.
The theme was Fun and Education in the Countryside and featured
a wealth of traditional county show events including show-jumping,
award-winning livestock, heavy horse displays and the Herts Farmers
'Foxtrot' dance.
Among the arena attractions were the Herts-based Marching Blues
Youth Band and the Kangaroo Kid stunt rider. Drawing the largest
crowds was the Household Cavalry Musical Ride with its stirring
Land of Hope and Glory as the finale.
On Saturday Vinnie hosted lunch for 120 guests, taking as his
theme a call for "Herts to unite and start letting the rest
of the country know what a wonderful county we live in".
He said later: "I sincerely hope that now we have set the
ball rolling that there will be a collective effort within the
county to wave the flag for Herts in the future."
Show secretary Mike Harman said this week: "We are absolutely
delighted at the visitor attendance and the incredibly positive
post-Show feedback confirms that we are now back on track as a
leading traditional county show."
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