MAYBE it was the overdue change in the weather, or the additional field full of attractions this year.

Perhaps it was a show of support because of the spectre of HS2 and the high-speed trains that will one day rush past.

Whatever the reason, this year’s Harefield Dogs Trust show and open day was the ‘best ever’, according to Sian Fairlie, the charity’s supporter relations officer at the centre in Harvil Road.

“The weather was obviously on our side and fantastic. It was our best show ever: I have never seen so many people in my life,” she said.

“We had to shut the coconut shy because we ran out of coconuts, and the tombola ran out of prizes too.”

Ms Fairlie’s best guess at the attendance at Sunday’s show was ‘several thousand’ and she said income from ticket sales was £31,000, a record to date.

She said in contrast to last year, when dismal weather the week before the show led to numerous calls asking if the event would go ahead, this year the three fine days in the lead-up meant dog owners were calling and emailing to confirm they would be there.

The warm sun meant volunteers and owners had to be extra vigilant, ensuring the visiting dogs had plenty of cool water to drink and shady places to sit.

? There are more pictures of the day on our website, at www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/galleries.