Board Reports on Show Results‏

The New Forest Agricultural Show Society Board were informed last night that as predicted there was a loss in excess of £200,000. Over £70,000 were direct costs of the appalling weather for buying in stone, bark and tractor hire along with approximately £30,000 in indirect hidden costs.

The Show had estimated that a cancellation would have resulted in a loss of over £650,000, and though not the reason for running the Show, the current losses are a manageable but a painful amount.

The Society has since received recognition from far and wide for making the decision to run, including letters from 'Horse of the Year' competitors who come to The New Forest & Hampshire County Show to qualify. Traders who had so many events cancelled in June and July, were pleased to have the opportunity to trade.

The final figures for attendance will be announced at the AGM in February 2008 but the board was informed that they should expect the final visitor numbers to be around 68,500 which under these circumstances was a good result.

Chief Executive Richard Cuzens said "This was a remarkable achievement under extreme conditions and if it was not for such loyal and hard working contractors and volunteers, the Show would not have run as successfully as it did. The Show will return in 2008 (29th -31st July) stronger and fitter in the knowledge that is survived the worst weather year on record"