Aldermaston and Wasing Show entertains West Berkshire public

The Aldermaston and Wasing Show - a highlight of the local calendar - commenced over the weekend, drawing in residents and friends of the community for a day of crafts, games and family-friendly activities.

For the first time this year, the event was staged on a Sunday rather than the usual Saturday, although it took place at its usual venue, The Old Mill.

The show was axed in 2020 as a result of pandemic restrictions - and this marked only the second time the event had been scrapped in its history, following a last-minute cancellation in 1997 for Princess Diana's funeral.

Due to this, expectations were high for the show's 2021 comeback, and turnout was high, with between 1,200 and 1,500 people attending.

There were a variety of craft, charity and trade stands present, alongside the usual show favourites - including the famous 'Duck Derby'.

This ticketed race, involving hundreds of plastic ducks on the millstream, was staged digitally in 2020, despite the lack of a physical show.

Show treasurer Dave Shirt indicated that the event had raised a substantial amount of money, with proceeds set to be donated to charity.

Mr Shirt said: "The exhibits were well up, and the entry was well up, and the weather was glorious - it was a good day.

"It's an incredibly traditional village show, so there was all the spectacles and flowers, and we've got a lot of cups because we've been going for 70-odd years.

"We had an area, where there were children's races and a dog show, a brass band and sideshows."

The West Berkshire Therapy Centre, which provides fitness sessions for physically disabled people in the local area, is this year's chosen charity.