Sunshine brings out a bumper crowd

A crowd of around 80,000 headed for Clifton Park for this year's two-day extravaganza, the largest free show in the North of England.

The show, which is organised by Rotherham Borough Council's Marketing and Events team, will included all the usual favourites such as the Vintage Vehicle Rally, Horticultural Show, the Main Arena and the Rotherham One Town, One Community Festival.

The Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr Dave Pickering, was joined by local Olympic hero Joe Roebuck to open the event on Saturday. Swim star Joe, competed in the 200 metres Butterfly in London this year.

The Main Arena, hosted by Rother FM, brought a wealth of action to the showground, including daredevil capers with the Stannage International Stunt Team, the ever popular Rockwood Dog Display Team and the wacky world of mascot racing.

There was plenty of music too with Saturday's Folk Festival bringing together some of the finest talent on the international, national and local scene including Spoil the Dance, Sunjay Brayne and a welcome return for Flossie Malavaille.  Sunday's treat was a day of Jazz with The Colin Yates Big Band, Wendy Kirkland Trio and Britain's Got Talent semi-finalists The Jive Aces.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Roger Stone, said: "This was a fantastic end to a superb summer of events both in Rotherham and nationally.

"We could not have picked a better weekend in terms of the weather and people from Rotherham and further afield certainly responded by turning out in their thousands to enjoy the show.

"There was a great feel-good spirit among the crowds and as ever all the performers, exhibitors and volunteers really made the show a great spectacle for everyone who came along."