A record charity handout has been made by organisers of the Aylsham Show.

Eastern Daily Press: Sheep on parade at the 2013 Aylsham Show. Photo: ANTONY KELLYSheep on parade at the 2013 Aylsham Show. Photo: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2013)

More than £50,000 is being given to local charities and good causes after last summer's event attracted around 20,000 people to Blickling Park.

Eastern Daily Press: Aylsham Show secretary Chris Self. PHOTO: ANTONY KELLYAylsham Show secretary Chris Self. PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY (Image: © ARCHANT NORFOLK 2010)

Show secretary Chris Self said they were extremely pleased to be handing out £52,000 to more than 50 different groups.

The success of the event was down to its combination of being a showcase of farming and rural pursuits as well as a family attraction.

The 2013 show was blessed with good weather following bad conditions in 2012 which saw many shows struggle.

'People turned out in force. They love getting up close to the livestock, cookery theatre and rural crafts. But as well as the traditional things we try to provide something new each year,' he added.

The Aylsham Show was also a major social event for the farming fraternity.

'It comes towards the end of harvest and the farming community likes to have a day out,' he added.

The 2014 show will be the 68th. It has only missed one year in 2001 due to the foot and mouth outbreak.

'Our aims are to promote agriculture and horticulture, but giving away any surplus to local charities has become a big part of the show,' he added.

The handouts, including to organisations who helped on the day, were made at last night's annual meeting, where Calthorpe beef farmer Phillida Hurn became president with Blickling potato grower Tony Bambridge as her deputy.

The 2014 show is on Monday August 25. Main ring attractions will include the Bolddog Lings motorcycle team, and Chariots of Fire pony and cart display. More information at theaylshamshow.co.uk

SHOW DONATIONS

£5,000 - Reepham Rotary Club (for EACH, Macmillan Cancer Support and local charities).

£2,500 - Aylsham Flower Club; Aylsham Rotary (for Cruse Bereavement Care, CAB, Norfolk Churches Trust).

£2,000 - Norfolk Diabetes Centre, Norfolk and Norwich Cardiac Catheter Lab Fund, North Norfolk and Norwich friends of EACH, Aylsham Recreation Ground , Aylsham Tennis Club.

£1,500 - Aylsham Youth and Community Centre, Norfolk Young Farmers, Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.

£1,000 - North Norfolk Riding for the Disabled, Norwich Riding for the Disabled, Nelson's Journey, Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, Diabetes UK (North Walsham), Cystic Fibrosis, Holt Rugby Club development fund, Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre Norfolk, Parkinson's UK, Norfolk and Norwich Radiotherapy Appeal, EDP We Care Appeal, Aylsham Care Trust, Aylsham Band, Aylsham Lodge Hotel defibrillator fund, 35th Norwich Sea Scouts

£750 - 1st Aylsham Scouts

£500 - Sea Palling Lifeboat, RNAA Spring Fling, CAB Fakenham, Norfolk and East Suffolk Crohn's and Colitis, Aylsham Football Club, Injured Jockey Fund, SSAFA Forces Help, Aylsham Market Place Surgery, North Walsham YFC, Norfolk Deaf Association, Country Alliance Schools Day, Aylsham Older People's Association, Mundesley Coastwatch, North Norfolk Vikings Swimming Club, Aylsham High School DofE scheme, Matthew Project, Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind, Reepham and Salle Cricket Club, Oulton Church, Brampton Church Council, Aylsham First Responders, Aylsham Blind Club, Aylsham Guides, Buckingham Emergency Food Appeal, Bridge for Heroes.