Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

A 'great success' is claimed, but no cost figures are available.
"The 2005 West Wilts Show - which was the biggest yet held - has been hailed as a great success. Nearly 400 different exhibitors featured at the Show, held on 28-30 July in Trowbridge Park, and tens of thousands of people visited the event.

West Wilts 2005 was particularly successful for the Show’s two official charities - Carers Support West Wilts and Larkrise Community Farm. Each group had a free stand at the Show and held collections. As a result, both groups enjoyed an increase in profile and raised significant funds.

As always, the free entertainments programme was a hit, with huge crowds filling the main arena on the Thursday and Friday nights to watch the Ultimate Tribute to Bryan Adams and Live 8 star Midge Ure.

The Show was officially opened on Thursday morning by Major General the Duke of Westminster, who was welcomed onto the main stage by ITV West presenter Peter Rowell.

Other special guests included the High Sheriff of Wiltshire, David Margesson, on Thursday and the former defence secretary Lord King of Bridgwater on Friday.

Michael Williams, Chair of the West Wilts Show steering group, said: “The Show’s biggest strength is that admission is free. We wouldn’t be able to run an event like this without the generosity of all our sponsors, and I would like to thank them once again for their support. I would also like to thank everyone who worked so hard to organise the Show, as a great deal of effort goes in behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly.”

Planning for West Wilts 2007 is due to start within the next few months."