Families flock to second day of West Wilts Show (From This Is Wiltshire)

Families flock to second day of West Wilts Show

5:07pm Friday 24th July 2009

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Families flocked to the second day of the West Wilts Show todayas kids tried their hand at everything from samba drumming to building clay aliens.

The three-day free show in Trowbridge Park, which was launched by the Duchess of Cornwall yesterday, lived up to its billing of a family fun day out.

Friends Kirsti Wordley, Hayley Treby and Laura Lee, all from Trowbridge, brought along their eight children to the show.

Kirsti, who has three children; Jordanna, 10, Jayden, six, and 20-month-old Jaxon, said: “It’s an excellent show and the kids have really enjoyed it.

“We watched the Crazy Bear show and they made a clay alien in the Bradford on Avon tent. We also entered the Wiltshire Times’ colouring competition.

“The show brings money into Trowbridge and it puts us on the map.”

Sisters-in-law Sarah and Debbie Gingell, from Melksham, brought along their children; Barney, four, Cassidy, three and Ethan, two, as well as three-year-old Meghan and one-year-old Reece, who Debbie was childminding.

Sarah said: “The show is promoting all the individual businesses and charities. It is letting us know what is about in the area.

“The kids have had their faces painted and have been making badges and have collected lots of stickers and balloons.”

Luke Waldron, three, from Trowbridge, who was with his mum Claire, auntie Julie and brother Aaron, one, had his face painted as a lion.

Asked why he chose the lion design, he said: “It’s because I wanted to scare everybody.”

Children also got into the Latin mood with salsa drumming, led by Bradford on Avon man Michael Grant. Between 50 and 60 children took part in the workshops, held in the Wiltshire Music Centre marquee. Other sessions included dancing to High School Musical and Hairspray songs.

In the morning, Jo Jingles hosted a music, singing and dancing workshop for kids in the main arena, by the bandstand.

Heather Willis, from Trowbridge, who took part with her son Archie, three, said: “Archie loved it. He enjoys the interaction with the other kids.”

Among those collecting money for the charity Relate Mid Wiltshire, which offers counselling to couples, families and children, were husband and wife John and Anne Gill, who have been married for 46 years.

Relate was the official show charity for the Friday.

Mr Gill, who is a trustee, said: “We have been married 46 years and we have never used Relate!

“The West Wilts Show is important for our charity's profile. It’s good for people to be recognise our name.

“The secret to a happy marriage is give and take and to see if you can talk about your problems between yourselves and if you can’t to get some help. We’re all human - we all make mistakes.”

In the main arena, Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service hosted two demonstration warning of the dangers of chip pan fires.

Carried out by Wiltshire firefighters Darren Masini and Mark Povy, onlookers watched as a chip pan fire turned into a fireball when it was tackled with water.

Crew manager, Darren Mansini said: “Normally we get a bigger fireball. We had one where even the cameraman jumped back.

“We tell people not to attempt to put out a fire out. The show is a good place to get the message across.”