THIS year not only celebrates the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics, but also the Gorefield Country Show’s Golden Anniversary.

The Gorefield show began half a century ago years ago with a small gymkhana, but has since become very popular.

And to celebrate its 50th birthday the show held a party with ‘The John Noakes Experience’ playing live music throughout the day, a parade of classic cars and tractors as well as carriage driving and a fancy dress competition.

Other attractions included a falconry display in the main ring, a novelty dog show and a look back at Gorefield’s history with a memorabilia stand.

There was a range of side shows and country stalls while for the children there were swing boats, a tea-cup ride, a bouncy castle and athletic competitions with cash prizes. Drinks and deserts were also served.

The show, which now qualifies for the British Show Pony Society, began at 8:00am with an expanded pony display before the Shires, Percherons and Suffolk Punch were exhibited at 9:30am.

Secretary Jo Mitchell said: “It was a great success. We were lucky the weather held up because on Friday it was very windy and we weren’t sure that it would be able to go ahead.

“But it was a really wonderful day as soon as the sun came out and hundreds of people came along which was fantastic.

“There were lots of things for the public to do. The children really seemed to enjoy the sports competitions and the bouncy and the show itself was fantastic as always. “We even had a spitfire fly-past at 4pm and that was a truly remarkable sight!”