THE 78th Hawkridge Revel and Gymkhana will take place on the most beautiful site with stunning moorland views on Bank Holiday Monday (August 26).

Renowned for its determination to remain a traditional family fun event with home cooking and no glaring commercial interests, the Revel provides a haven of how things used to be.

Horses play an important role at the event, which will again be held at the Exmoor Hill site from 10am until 5pm, with showing classes in the main ring, children’s show jumping, and mountain, moorland and Exmoor Ponies in the other rings.

The ever popular children's’ mounted fancy dress draws an enthusiastic audience as the commentator tries to persuade toddlers to tell him their own names, never mind the name of their entry character and pony.

The foot races are equally popular, with athletes from 0-90, wildly cheered on. A full programme of gymkhana classes follows, while in another part of the field the dog show attracts many well-known breeds together with some imaginative hybrids whose genetic history can only be guessed at. 

Here, in the heart of Red Deer country, many first time visitors to the Antler Competition are expected to be awe-struck by how large these animals can become. Horns have to have been found where the stags have shed them in the Spring.

There will also be fun and games, including skittles and the utterly ridiculous Barmy Dog Race.

Refreshments are home baked and the ice cream is locally made. People can seek out unexpected bargains from the plant, clothing and book stalls while trying theit luck in the raffles.

Hawkridge boasts just eleven homes plus neighbouring cottages and farms and loves this annual even.

Entry is by donation, from 10am. Profits are shared between the village hall, the church, local charities and good causes.