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It began as a tiny event with just one tent and a single rope to which all the animals on display were tethered.

Today it's one of the UK's top ten agricultural shows and attracts about 100,000 spectators from all over the south.

The New Forest and Hampshire County Show at New Park, Brockenhurst, is among the highlights of the region's social calendar.

Hampshire's biggest summer celebration - a tradition for almost 90 years - offers a snapshot of life in the country and generates more than £12m a year for the local economy.

Many of the organisations involved in the conservation and preservation of the Forest use it as an opportunity to showcase the services they provide.

TV personalities appearing at the Bournemouth International Centre often agree to visit the show, while livestock competitions serve as a welcome reminder that the Forest is still a farming community at heart, despite the growth in tourism and other industries.

Weather is often the all-important factor and this year's forecast is even more crucial than usual.

The show is determined to bounce back after last summer's wash-out, when the wettest July on record turned New Park into a quagmire.

Bright sunshine on the opening day was followed by 36 hours of torrential rain, resulting in a mudbath.

Only 68,500 people braved the conditions - a 30 per cent drop on the usual number - and in November it was announced that the event had made record losses on £200,000. Organisers are hoping this year's line-up, aided by good weather, will see crowd figures return to their traditional level.

Show chairman Geoff Morgan said: "We're working on the assumption that the weather couldn't possibly be as bad as it was last year but we're putting several measures in place to cope with any adverse conditions, including new roads and paths.

"We've also done a lot of work on drainage at the site to ensure that water drains away more quickly."

The show will include a spectacular aerial display by Christian Moullec, whose microlight aircraft will lead a flock of wild geese in formation over the 38-acre showground.

A show spokesman said: "Anyone who has seen him perform with his geese will know that when he flies over everyone stops what they're doing and gazes into the sky, totally transfixed.

"It seems unbelievable that a flock of geese would choose to fly in formation beside Christian's plane."

Other attractions will include international show jumping, the Shetland Pony Grand National and a return visit by the David Beckham Academy, which provides coaching sessions for schoolboy footballers, who want to emulate their hero.

The spokesman added: "We don't know whether David will attend personally, but the kids should have a fantastic time being coached by professionals."

An art exhibition, a vintage car display and a new-look children's area featuring a flight simulator also form part of this year's programme.

Spectators will be provided with two areas where they can deposit tired children and heavy shopping while they continue to look round the show.

Fridges for people who buy food at the event, and need to store it somewhere cool until they are ready to go home, will also be supplied.

The first New Forest Show was held at Bartley Cross, near Cadnam, in 1921.

It was the brainchild of W Frank Perkins, Conservative MP for the Forest and chairman of the former Hampshire Advertiser Company, which owned the Southern Daily Echo.

He was determined to bring Forest folk together following the devastation caused to local communities by the First World War.

The first show made a profit of less than £15, a sufficiently large sum in those days to ensure it became an annual event.

After battling the Great Depression and other set-backs the show was suspended during the Second World War and did not return until 1946, when it was held at Cuffnells Park, Lyndhurst.

The event moved to New Park in 1955 and went from strength to strength.

It became a two-day attraction in 1978 and finally switched to the current three-day format in 1989.

Over the years special guests have included the Princess Royal, ice dance champions Torvill and Dean and comedian Russ Abbot.

The show has also been used to publicise projects such as the Windjet team's attempt to smash various speed records.

But the event is best known for providing an insight into traditional country pursuits as part of a top-rate entertainment package for people of all ages.

Ferret racing, sheep shearing and heavy horse musical drives are among the attractions that keep the crowds coming back year after year.

2:36pm Wednesday 9th July 2008

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