Cow pat bingo splodgy highlight of Hannington Country Fair

Some 3,000 visitors turned out for the biennial fair, according to Peter Walsh, one of many organisers of the recent huge event, off the A339 at Hannington, opened by the MP for north west Hampshire, Sir George Young.
Many visitors headed for the cow pat bingo stall, involving placing bets on a grid - while waiting for the ‘deed’ to take place, involving a cow and nature, in a nearby field:
“There’s always a bit of consternation if it lands between two squares,” said Mr Walsh, adding some adjudication was then required as to the exact target:
“It’s very studiously watched,” he said, adding as it took some time for nature to take its course, this provided ample opportunity to sell lots of tickets.
Hugely popular with children was chance to sit in a combine harvester, free of charge, and courtesy of agricultural machinery supplier, John Deere.
Hannington Silver Band provided the music, with gundog displays and tasty treats such as a hog roast, barbecue and pancakes, while ferret racing provided a furry finale on the green.
“It was a great team effort and good fun,” said Mr Walsh, adding rain threatened all day, but luckily a downpour held off.
Total funds raised were down on the £13,000 raised at the 2011/previous Hannington Country Fair, which organisers put down to the weather, with cash raised this year (2013) to benefit several village organisations, such as Hannington Village Hall, school sports fields and football teams.