HAMPSHIRE’S biggest summer show has a new boss.

Denis Dooley has been appointed secretary of the New Forest and Hampshire County Show following the resignation of Richard Cuzens, who stepped down in October. Mr Dooley has just seven months to prepare for the 2011 show, which will be held at New Park, Brockenhurst, on July 26-28.

Mr Dooley, 27, of Lymington, studied equine business management at the University of the West of England in Bristol. A spokesman for the New Forest Agricultural Show Society, which organises the show, said: “Denis has worked for the society since 2006 and has proved his worth, thereby gaining promotion to this prestigious position. Richard Cuzens ran the event for nine years and helped make it one of the top ten agricultural shows in the country. His trademark bowler hat made him an instantly recognisable figure. In 2007 he had an annus horribilis when torrential rain turned the showground into a quagmire.