Camera at the ready, Andrew Eyley captures all the fun and excitement of one of the country’s finest rural events
Chatsworth Country Fair again delivered a taste of the very best of Britain. Between the peace and tranquillity of the hot air balloon lifts at dawn and dusk, there was plenty to keep the thousands of visitors occupied. In between walking around the hundreds of trade stands and rural crafts, sampling delicious local produce, trying your hand at fishing and clay pigeon shooting or stepping back in time to take a ride on the old-fashioned fairground attractions, there was a packed programme of events to keep you entertained if you just wanted to sit and enjoy. There were dramatic main ring displays of skill from Jump4Heroes – The Royal British Legion Extreme Human Flight Team – the Ukrainian Cossack Stunt Team, the Essex Dog Display team and the Band of the Corps of the Royal Engineers, and return visits from The Mounted Games Association of Great Britain, Allcomer’s Dog Racing with Adrian Francis, Charlotte Hill birds of prey demonstrations, British Scurry and Trials Driving, plus aerobatics, vintage cars, a hound parade, and massed pipe bands. This year’s President was TV presenter and farmer Adam Henson, while in the cooking arena Masterchef judge John Torode demonstrated his skills and Mary Berry returned for the third time to give a peerless display of baking. The event was brought to a thrilling close by the inimitable Red Arrows who performed a faultless and breathtaking performance in gloriously blue skies above a perfect Chatsworth.
