Seaside show has something for all as hundreds go along

From left: Gruff Harrison-Jones, four, Beatrix Harrison-Jones, three, with their cousin Hannah Roddy, five, at the Seaside Show

Over the bank holiday weekend, the The Rural and Seaside Show returned to Southsea and hundreds of families attended.

The free three-day event, had a dog show, dressage, horses and wagons, owls, ferret racing and Punch and Judy.

Charlotte Burford went along with her partner Sam Gilmore and children Grace, six, Lewis, five and 11-month-old Madison.

Harrison Morgan, eight, holding an owl at the Owls About Town stall at the Seaside Show

The 25-year-old, from Copnor, said: ‘We like to come down every year and see what the show has going on.

‘It has been really good and the kids enjoy it.

‘We watched the Punch and Judy and the horses and we liked the sheep herding too.

‘It is a really great event for families.’

Paul Reast, from Cosham, and his family have been attending the show for the last three years.

He said: ‘This is always a good day out and the whole family has something to enjoy.

‘The children liked the donkey rides and seeing the horses.’

In the main arena, families enjoyed seeing the heavy horses as well a sheep-dog herding sheep. There was also a chance for people to enter their dog into a dog show.

Perry Powell, from Emsworth, was at the event with his wife Danielle, children six-year-old Kyran and five-year-old Dolcie-Lou and his mother-in-law Theresa Robson.

He said: ‘It is great that this event is so close and gives us something to do over the bank holiday weekend.

‘There is lots to do and the kids have had a great day.

‘We went on Saturday and Sunday so we have been able to do a little bit of everything.’

The Rural and Seaside Show has been organised by Portsmouth City Council.

Heather Todd, assistant events manager, said: ‘We’ve had a great response since we started running this show. People seem to love the countryside feel by the seaside.’