THE 117th Orsett Show has been hailed a success by organisers, who were particularly pleased with a positive response to a new layout of events, displays and stands around the Orsett Showground.

The show on Saturday, 6 September, sponsored principally by the Port of Tilbury but with contributions from many other businesses including c2c and HJ Wilson, was blessed again by decent weather - although overcast in parts, the sun shone for much of the day, and the outdoor seating and catering areas proved busy - while all the show's arena attractions were able to go ahead.

One thing that didn't quite go to plan was a truculent hawk called Leo - who caused great hilarity by refusing to take part in the aerial display and watched events from an adjacent marquee before flying off to discover more about the wider Orsett area. He later returned to his handler to cheers from the crowd.

Also well received were the sheep-shearing displays which prove perennially popular and were missed last year because of the outbreak of Blue Tongue disease which stopped the movement of ruminants.

Among the many large marquees local crafts were displayed - and judged, - with many local folk entering exhibits across a variety of agricultural, artistic and hobbycraft categories.

Members of Thurrock Beekepers Association.

One popular display was the Thurrock Beekeepers Association's exhibition, which included live bees and examples of the honey harvested by its members. They meet monthly at the Woolmarket in Horndon on the Hill and offer a service across the borough to recover and move swarms of bees to safe environments. You can find out more about the Association on their Facebook page.

Around the showground and in the marquees, a host of Thurrock groups showed off their skills.

Grays Thurrock Model Boat Club's impressive stand.

Among the more spectacular were examples of the talents of the Grays Thurrock Model Boat Club who brought many of their remarkable and detailed projects to show off.

You can find out more about the club, which meets on Sundays at Belhus Country Park, on their webpage. 

Thurrock Lacemakers

Others to show off their skills included show regulars, the Thurrock Lacemakers.

The education tent featured a number of schools, including several from the Osborne Trust. One of its exhibitors was Horndon on the Hil CoE primary, which showcased its 'Forest School', a learning experience where young people learn about nature through out of school visits.

Jo Ramsey manned Horndon on the Hill Primary School's forest trail exhibit.

The subject lead Jo Ramsey created a forest pathway within the marquee and engaged with many youngsters, showing them what they can find in the wild.

ALso popular, and spread around the site were trade stands including many that offered quality locally made foods.

The pantry tent proved particularly popular for free samples and among those showing off culinery skills were members of a family from East Tilbury, who launched their business last year.

Visitors got a sample of Venezuelan cuisine in the pantry tent.

You find out more about Mpanadas & Salsas and Venezuelan traditional dishes created by the Gorodeckis family here.

As usual animals of all shapes and sizes were present at all points on the showground. Once again there were a huge amount of entries in the equine classes, with both showing, carriages and showjumping categories keeping viewers entertained all day long.

Dozens and dozens of rosettes were awarded among the many varieties of competition.

And the cattle also put in a powerful appearance, with youngsters fascinated by the range of stock, particularly some of the very impressive bulls.

This weasel was as curious about the visitors as they were about him.

Donkeys, alpacas, weasels, chickens, snakes and even stick insects proved a draw all around the ground - with youngsters get the chance to get up cloxe and personal with many of them. Rats and tortoises proved particularly popular!

All kinds of produce, home or commercially grown, was on show - also competing for prizes - as were floral displays from local gardeners.

Home or farm grown - competition was fierce.

As well as the main area attractions, there were many displays around the Showground, including the tradional steam engines, which came in all sizes - from giant road rollers to minatire water pumping machines.

Show chairman Ian Frood has paid tribute to all the people who work behind the scenes to put the show on.

He said: "Thank you all so much for all the time and effort you put in each year in ensuring the Show's success.

"I know this year was particularly difficult in terms of managing the new layout and it was always to be expected that some liked it and others not but the feedback I have received was extremely good. 

"Your hard work and dedication to the Show each year is really appreciated and you should all be extremely proud of providing the Community with a wonderful day."

Thurrock Police cadets.

Among the many people who worked tireless on the day were youngsters from local organisations including police and army cadets and youngsters from Essex Fire and Rescue Service, the latter who managed much of the Showground's free parking efficienctly.

If you couldn't make it to show, watch Nub News' editor Neil Speight's tour of the showground yesterday morning as events were getting underway and the crowds were starting to arrive.