THE credit crunch proved to be no match for Herefordshire’s love of the great outdoors as residents made the most of the countryside.

So many green-fingered fans of horticulture attended the Great Spring Gardening Event at Hampton Court that the gates were temporarily closed to ease queues of traffic which had built up in neighbouring areas.

More than 3,200 people attended, with early estimates suggesting that about £30,000 was raised for local British Red Cross services.

“We were terribly sorry that people were turned away,” said Sue Burleigh, from the Red Cross.

Visitors to the event enjoyed the grounds at Hampton Court as well as more than 80 home and garden stalls.

The venue was also used on Bank Holiday Monday for the University of the Great Outdoors, with adventurous types enjoying a zip wire challenge, canoeing and bungee running.

Another popular bank holiday attraction was the Hereford Spring Carriage Show. This year’s event was held at Hereford Racecourse to accommodate its growing popularity.

Visitors saw the elegance of traditional horsedrawn carriages, pulled by horses from Shetland ponies to Shires, and able-bodied and disabled competitors compete on an equal basis.

In Bromyard, the silence was broken when the town criers’ competition returned after a twoyear absence.

More than a dozen criers from across the UK attended Saturday’s festival, overseen by Bromyard’s own Peder Nielsen. Entrants had to promote their town and shout about hops and cider in the event, which coincided with the Spring Festival.

Criers were judged on volume, diction and presence by a panel, including Mayor Jonathan Lester. One of the biggest cheers went to former Bromyard town crier Peter Dauncey, who finished second representing Melksham.

Meanwhile, at Dilwyn Show, residents enjoyed horse and dog shows and displays of vintage and classic vehicles, as well as equestrian competitions.

Putley also hosted its annual Big Apple Cider and Perry Trials for craft cider and perry makers on Saturday, with a total of 56 entrants submitting 154 entries.

The Ross-on-Wye Cider and Perry Company was crowned as cider champion, James Marsden, of Gregg’s Pit Cider and Perry, won the perry champion award and Andrew Dean triumphed in the novice cider class.

Herefordshire drinkers also enjoyed a beer and cider festival at the Three Horseshoes in Allensmore.

The fun and games moved into Hereford on Tuesday with the annual May Fair. The rides, which fill the city centre from Bridge Street to St Owen Street, are still open today (Thursday) for those who missed out earlier in the week.