IT was billed a countryside extravaganza and it lived up to its publicity. Saturday’s East Tytherley Country Fair attracted more than 2,000 visitors and made about £6,000 towards the upkeep of the village’s St Peter’s Church.

Organisers of the fair at Oaklands House could not have wished for better weather with unbroken blue skies – a different story to last summer when the event had to be cancelled because of flooding and muddy conditions. Attractions included falconry demonstrations, a dog show, casting with the Test Valley Fly Fishing School, have-a-go sessions with the South Wilts Archery Club, and displays by the Mullenscote Gundogs. Other crowd-pleasers were ferret racing and, a big hit with young visitors, the Mill Cottage Farm Experience – which gave them a chance to see farm animals close up and touch them.

Children’s entertainer, Kester the Clown, also kept young minds occupied at the event with Diablo tricks, as well as plate spinning and juggling. His audiences were encouraged to try to emulate him at his circus workshops.

Meanwhile, grown-ups looked over various models of classic cars on show, including a rare E-type Jaguars. Lockerley Silver Band provided some musical entertainment, while visitors enjoyed cream teas. There was also an exhibition of paintings staged by Clarendon Art.

A children’s art competition to paint a butterfly saw Hannah Screech win the under 5s secion and Charlotte Andrews the over 5s.

Fair co-ordinator, Joanne Nash, said: “I am part of a small but enthusiastic band of volunteers from East Tytherley, who work really hard to plan and stage the event. However, we would not be able to run an event of this scale without the help we receive from outside the village.”