SHOCKED visitors to a country show needed medical treatment after a mini tornado ripped through the event. 

The 142nd annual Four Colnes Show took place at Earls Colne Recreation Club at the weekend.

The show was hosted by the village’s Four Colnes Horticultural Society and saw a huge number of locals enjoying activities and stalls.

But Saturday (17 August) saw mini Devil's dust tornados over parts of Essex and Cambridgeshire, and in the afternoon a "dramatic whirlwind" interrupted the village show.

Four Colnes Horticultural Society treasurer Duncan McCubbine said: “We had a whirlwind rip through just before 2pm.

“It was very dramatic, and initially we wondered if the show would recover,

“A few people were treated for minor injuries by our on-site first aider, and nurses and first aid-qualified people attending the show.

“As far as we know, no one required further treatment, luckily.”

The event took place on the club field and in its main hall, where there was an array of exhibits, including flower arrangements, fruit and vegetables, arts and crafts, and baking.

Richard Curtis received three awards, including the Christopher Holmes Cup and the Herbert Curtis Cup, and Four Colnes Horticultural Society secretary Sarah Adlem was awarded the Colne Dairy Cup and most points for the WI across all categories.

Sarah said: “It’s been a lovely day with a great turn-out of visitors – I hope everyone has enjoyed having a good look around.

“Although entries for the horticultural show are a little bit down from last year, we hope people will be inspired to enter next year.”

Activities for children included bouncy castles and face painting, and there were charity and business stalls, and food and ice cream vans.

Earls Colne WI attended the event, selling tea, coffee and cake, with half the profits going to charity.

Secretary Jackie O’Shea said: “Our ladies have made and donated lots of different, lovely cakes,

“We choose a different charity each year to receive half the profits. We each put our ideas down and the one with the most votes gets the donation."

“We always like to do a local charity if we can.”

A dog show was held in the afternoon, with categories such as the waggiest tail, most handsome dog, and look-alike dog and owner.

The entrance to the show was decorated with plants and flowers by - Oliver’s Plants owner and horticultural society president - Oliver Wass.

He said: “We’ve set up the entrance to try and inspire people to join the society,

“The exhibition hall is something that we’re trying to push to get more people entering each year – you see some really good quality produce in there.

“There’s something for everybody and it’s a good community event – this year with the addition of an evening band.”