TURN out your attics and rifle through your drawers.
Organisers of the New Forest and Hampshire County Show have launched an appeal for memorabilia to help them celebrate a special anniversary.
The New Forest and Hampshire Agricultural Show Society, which stages the event, was formed 90 years ago.
Launched in 1920, the society held the first show at Bartley Cross, near Cadnam, the following year. It was a comparatively modest affair that comprised one tent and a long rope to which all the animals on display were tethered.
Founding president was Frank Perkins, Conservative MP for the Forest and chairman of the former Hampshire Advertiser Company, which owned the Southern Daily Echo.
He was determined to bring Forest folk together following the devastation caused to local communities by the First World War.
Now plans are being drawn up to stage a major exhibition at this year’s show, which will be held at New Park, Brockenhurst, on July 27-29.
A society spokesman said: “Organisers are calling on everyone to look in their attics and turn out those drawers.
“Bring the items into the office at New Park any time.
They will be carefully looked after and then displayed at the show.
“Please help us celebrate this anniversary with a spectacular exhibition to show how it has grown from the early days to the prestigious event it is today.”
The Daily Echo-backed show became a two-day attraction in 1978 and switched to the current three-day format in 1989.
Held during the last week of July, it draws about 100,000 visitors from across the south, with up to 10,000 vehicles pouring into the car park on each of the three days.
For more information ring the show office on 01590 622400.
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