Enjoy Hurst Show & Country Fayre

Karen Neville

Hurst Show

Hurst Show and Country Fayre: Where country charm meets family fun on Saturday 28th and Sunday, 29th June

With over 40 years of tradition, the much-loved Hurst Show and Country Fayre offers unbeatable value for money, raising much-needed funds for local charitable organisations. 

All your favourite attractions return to Hurst village for 2025 as well as many exciting new additions for the whole family. 

The new children’s attractions include climbing sessions with Dinton Pastures Activity Centre, BMX stunt displays, drop-in painting activities, bouncy castles and soft play. 

These join the family favourites including hobbyhorse jumping, a fun dog show, animal petting, craft stalls, classic vehicle show, live music, bar and BBQ.   

By popular demand the dog show is running on both days this year with trophies, rosettes and prizes to be won. Classes – best Heinz 57, best pedigree, best golden oldie (over 8 years old), best puppy (3-12 months), most beautiful lady, most handsome gentlemen, and best six legs – are £3 per dog.  

New to the arena event schedule are children’s entertainment, magic shows, cheerleading, Irish dancing and Young Farmers’ Tug-of-War. Local favourites HuMP, Hurst Morris People, will be sharing the joy of Morris dancing too. 

Talented local musicians ranging from oompah band Second Wind to Avenue Acapella, Ukuladies Plus One and Reading Rock Band will be showcasing their skills in the music tent near to the village halls. Sit back and enjoy the music with tea and cake, strawberries and cream or a burger and drink from the bar.  

And if you fancy making music yourself then how about having a go at bell ringing with the bell ringers of St Nicholas Hurst? 

The classic vehicle show is also back in School Road and Sawpit Lane, whether you’re the proud owner of a Mini, a Ferrari, a Vespa or a Harley, as long as it’s insured and road legal, come and show off your pride and joy. Registration online necessary. 

Tickets available online – adults £5 for one day/£7.50 for weekend entry. Under 16s and carers accompanying the person they care for are free. Free parking included. 

For more info, classic vehicle registration and to buy tickets, visit hurstshow.uk 

Hurst Show & Country Fayre

Round & About

Hurst Show

Hurst Show and Country Fayre are championing ‘the show must go on’ ethos by holding their first ever virtual show.

The traditional event has had to be cancelled but the hope is its virtual equivalent will still be able to raise much-needed funds for local good causes including Alexander Devine Hospice and Just Around the Corner, as well as St Nicholas CofE Primary school, Pre-school, Scouts and Guides.

Chairperson Suzy Turner said: “We are very conscious that now more than ever, local good causes are struggling for funding. Last year the Show was able to donate over £15,000 funding so as a committee, we wanted to do something towards raising an equivalent amount.

“We have been able to kick off the fundraising effort with a £5,000 donation from show funds, and are hoping to make up the £10,000 shortfall through the virtual show. We also hope that the virtual show enables people to have some fun and celebrate the fantastic community spirit that has been shown during lockdown.”

People from all over the area are invited to take part in a calendar of online and socially distanced events all over June, culminating in what would have been the show weekend, June 27th and 28th. These include:

· Hobbyhorse Competition – households are encouraged to make and display their own hobbyhorses, with online voting and the overall winner judged by BBC sports presenter, Mike Bushell

· Virtual Classic Vehicle and Dog Shows – enter your ‘pride and joy’, whether it has wheels or a waggy tail, into the competition on Facebook and encourage friends to vote for your entry

· Virtual Market – an opportunity to browse the online shops of the stallholders who regularly support the show

· Village Souvenir Magazine – a magazine kindly produced by Alexis Jaworski Photography capturing photographs and memories of community spirit. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Over the show weekend itself, a timetable of interactive events from Hurst Show favourites will take place on Facebook, including sing-a-longs with Ukuladies Plus One and virtual sessions with Wokingham charity, Just Around the Corner.

Around the village, there will be displays of art and the popular church bookstall will be set up. Visitors are reminded to observe social distancing measures while enjoying these.

Take-away options will be provided by Hurst caterers, The Castle Inn pub and Vintage Hog Roast, with an ice-cream van also scheduled to stop around the village over the weekend.

There will even be an online disco on the Saturday night provided by local DJ, Thames Valley Discos.

More info

The majority of these events are free to participate, but donations towards the show are kindly requested. These can be made at any time by visiting www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/hurst-show.

For the latest details of what’s on, or to get involved as a sponsor or stallholder, please follow the Hurst Show on Facebook page, Twitter and/or Instagram, or visit