Ellingham Show organisers ban visitors from bringing dogs due to heatwave

THE organisers of this weekend's Ellingham Show have banned visitors from bringing dogs to the event due to the continued heatwave.

The event on Saturday, which is staged in the grounds of Somerley Park near Ringwood, is run by volunteer-led charity The Ellingham and Ringwood Agricultural Society.

The charity issued a statement to say it had consulted with the RSPCA before coming to its decision, adding: "We are asking dog owners not to bring dogs to the show ground this year.

"Temperatures are looking to be in the 30 degree range, where people are advised to refrain from walking their dogs.

"We are confident all dog owners will agree and hope all will comply with our request."

The statement explained the event would "sadly" no longer feature its dog section activities, including agility, gundog scurry and a dog show.

It added: "Following the Met Office announcement of an amber weather warning in our area, we would like to reassure you that the health and safety of our human and animal visitors to the show is our number one priority.

"We are taking a number of steps to ensure the show ground is as safe as we can make it."

The event, which has not been held since 2018 due to bad weather and the pandemic, will mark its 75th anniversary with a Spitfire flypast.

Other attractions include livestock, a horse show, classic cars, steam engines and horticultural displays.

A revised main ring show timetable will be published on Friday at www.ellinghamshow.co.uk