FOR close to a century and a half the proud traditions of Rusland's community have been kept alive at their annual countryside show.

On a bright and blustery day hundreds of people crowded into a series of fields to celebrate the 134th Rusland Valley Horticultural Show.

Fell runners, tug-of-wars, craft competitions and even competitive egg throwing were just a handful of the entertainment on offer to the crowd.

Anthony Meanwell, show secretary, said it was a testament to the community in Rusland the show has carried on for so many years.

He said: "If you think over the last 20 years and the number of entries, that is people entering their spuds, tomatoes and flowers in the competition, that has declined. What we can do is get more children and schools involved in the events.

"What we have is a show that is put on by most of the people in the community, it's because they want to see the show continue."

Collette Fellows is a self-confessed "regular" to the show, and this year took home first prize for her homemade gingerbread.

She said: "I'm a regular, I just live up the road and my mum helps out with it all."

The sense of enjoyment was palpable in the air, with Miss Fellows commenting on the look the community would feel if the show ever stopped.

"It would be really sad if it did [go]," she said.

Another group who threw themselves into the action of the day was the Clough family, of Marton.

Mum and dad Paul and Heather were joined by their children Anya, 13, and Zara, 8.

Mr Clough said: "It's important to come, it's our local show and we'll always support it."

The love for the show was felt throughout the generations, Lindsey Bayles, of Colton, who took home first prize for her arrangement of herbs, had been coming to the show since she was a little girl.

She said: "We come every year, the children put things into the show every year too. You meet up with lots of friends and people, it's a lovely local show, not to many trade stands, it's a real community."

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