A COUNTRY pursuits show which attracted thousands of people over the weekend is now so popular organisers are set to make it even bigger.
The Robin Hood Game and Country Show appeared at Newark Showground for the fourth year running on Saturday and Sunday.
It featured horse-riding displays, crafts, dog agility and training shows, clay-pigeon shooting and hundreds of trade and food stands.
Organisers Aztec Events said 52,000 people attended across both days, compared to about 32,000 last year.
Event promoter James Martin said: "We've had people from Leicester and Newcastle travelling down. I think we are getting more people because the show is growing and there's more to look at."
He said a five-year plan involved making the show 40 per cent larger and added: "We've seen some big shows cancelled around the country with the weather this year – so for us this was an extremely risky move at this time of year.
"But we've got a really good team and the weather has been on our side this year. All the hard work has paid off."
About 350 organisations and companies ran exhibitions and stalls at the show, including Ashfield Ferret Club, which meets twice a month in Stapleford Community Centre.
The club ran a stall where visitors could learn about ferrets and children could pick them up or take them for walks.
Club organiser John Goddard said: "It gives the public the opportunity to see the animals close up.
"People realise ferrets don't deserve their reputation for being horrible, bitey things.
"We get enjoyment from passing on knowledge and the show always has a good feel."
Among the food stands, Lime Tree Pantry, from Ollerton, was selling pies and tarts baked with ingredients from farmers in the local area.
Kevin Haddy, who was helping to run the stall, said: "It's been great, we get a lot of people coming back for more. I think its the taste of the pastry people love."
Nottinghamshire Freemasons also ran a stall as part of plans by the group to recruit more members and improve the movement's image.
Steve Larimore, secretary to the group's provincial information committee, said: "We are generally working to change the perceptions of what Freemasonry is about and spread the word.
"It's about friendship and charity and we've suffered over the years for being known as secretive which isn't actually true."
